OU Recruiting: Top Recruit Snubs Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners are facing a notable challenge in their 2028 recruiting efforts, as four-star safety KJ Gaddis, a top in-state prospect, has not included them in his top five collegiate choices. Gaddis, rated as the No. 2 player in Oklahoma and a top-200 national recruit, has a strong interest in Oklahoma State, which reportedly leads his recruitment with a 62.4% chance of securing his commitment. SMU and TCU also feature prominently in his favorites list.

This situation is particularly significant given head coach Brent Venables' success in boosting in-state recruiting for the Sooners, a marked improvement from previous regimes. Gaddis, described as 5'11" and 170 pounds with excellent speed and ball skills, could potentially contribute early at the college level. Despite having taken an unofficial visit to Oklahoma, the Sooners have not made his list of preferred schools, indicating a strong preference for other programs at this time.

With the recruiting cycle for the 2028 class extending until February 2028, there remains ample time for the Sooners to attempt to sway Gaddis. The program currently has only one commit for the 2028 class. Future visits and relationship-building efforts will be crucial for Oklahoma to potentially make a significant impact on Gaddis' decision, though Oklahoma State and SMU currently hold a clear advantage.