Four-star Long Beach Poly standout, ranked top-50 nationally, draws heavy predictions for Sooners amid postseason focus on recruiting
As the curtain falls on the Oklahoma Sooners' 2025 football season, fans are left reflecting on a campaign filled with highs, dramatic moments, and ultimately a heartbreaking conclusion.
The year ended on a sour note with a 34-24 loss to Alabama in the first round of the expanded College Football Playoff, hosted at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.
The Sooners had stormed out to an impressive 17-0 lead early in the second quarter, fueled by strong offensive plays and a dominant start that had Crimson Tide supporters stunned.
Quarterback John Mateer connected with wide receiver Isaiah Sategna for key touchdowns, and kicker Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner for the nation's top placekicker, contributed with long field goals.
However, Alabama mounted a fierce comeback, outscoring OU 34-7 over the remaining quarters to advance.Despite the postseason collapse—one that saw Oklahoma blow a 17-point lead, tying an unfortunate playoff record—the season as a whole marked significant progress for head coach Brent Venables in his fourth year.
The Sooners finished with a 10-3 overall record, including a solid 6-2 mark in their second season in the Southeastern Conference.
Key victories included a road upset over a highly ranked Alabama team during the regular season, a thrilling win against Michigan, and a clutch regular-season finale against LSU that secured their playoff berth.
This was Oklahoma's first appearance in the College Football Playoff since 2019, signaling a resurgence after tougher years transitioning to the SEC.
The defense remained a strength, ranking among the nation's best, while the offense showed flashes of potential under transfer quarterback Mateer.
With the season officially in the rearview mirror following the playoff defeat on December 19, 2025, attention has swiftly shifted to the future.
The transfer portal and recruiting trails will dominate the offseason agenda for the next couple of months, as Venables and his staff look to address needs—particularly on the offensive side—and build on the momentum of a 10-win campaign.
Several players, including offensive linemen like Jacob Sexton and Isaiah Dent, along with veteran running back Jovantae Barnes, have already signaled intentions to enter the portal when it officially reopens in early January 2026, creating opportunities for both departures and incoming talent.
On the high school recruiting front, there's particular excitement surrounding the Class of 2027, where Oklahoma appears poised for early success.
One standout target is cornerback JuJu Johnson from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California. Johnson, a dynamic and versatile defensive back standing at 5-foot-11 and around 170 pounds, is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in his class.
He holds consensus four-star status, with some services ranking him even higher—Rivals has him as a top-50 overall player nationally.
As a sophomore in 2024, Johnson showcased his playmaking ability with 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one interception, and a fumble recovery, demonstrating his ball-hawking instincts and physicality.
Reports from recruiting experts, including Adam Gorney of Rivals, position Oklahoma as the frontrunner to secure Johnson's commitment.
This optimism stems in part from Johnson's unofficial visit to Norman on November 29, coinciding with the Sooners' victory over LSU in their regular-season finale—a game that likely left a strong impression amid the electric atmosphere.
Additionally, Steve Wiltfong, Rivals' vice president of recruiting, has logged a crystal ball prediction favoring OU. Johnson has drawn scholarship offers from a who's who of college football powers, including Nebraska, Miami, Michigan, Florida State, Texas, Oregon, Arizona State, and others, underscoring his elite status.
Landing Johnson would be a major coup for Oklahoma's secondary, which has prioritized talented defensive backs in recent cycles.
His speed—evidenced by impressive track times—and coverage skills make him a potential shutdown corner at the next level.
While Johnson had initially scheduled a commitment announcement for early December before postponing to explore more options, including official visits, the Sooners' strong ties to California recruits and consistent pursuit keep them in pole position.
As the offseason unfolds, these recruiting battles and portal maneuvers will shape the trajectory of the program heading into 2026.
For a team that proved it could compete with the SEC's best and return to national relevance in 2025, the coming months offer a chance to reload and aim even higher.