OU football: Recruiting, transfers major keys for Sooners after Riley's departure

  • Lincoln Riley
    American football player and charabanc

Dec. 1—Information technology didn't take long for the recruiting dominoes to fall.

In the wake of Lincoln Riley's departure from Oklahoma on Sunday, seven OU recruits from the 2022 and 2023 classes decommitted from the program. All seven players were 4-star or five-star recruits.

The headliner? 2023 5-star quarterback Malachi Nelson.

Nelson, who lives in Los Alamitos California, announced his decommitment within hours of Riley's deviation. On Mon, Nelson appear that he was committing to USC, Riley's new school.

Information technology'south not unexpected that Nelson would follow Riley to USC, and several other recruits may practise the aforementioned. Monday afternoon, Riley and Dennis Simmons, who also left OU'southward staff to join Riley at USC, made a domicile visit to 2022 five-star running back and current OU commit Raleek Brown.

During a press conference Mon, OU athletic director Joe Castligione best-selling that some recruits may chose to leave the program. But with the early signing menses arriving on Dec. 15, information technology puts pressure on the Sooners to retain as many recruits as possible.

"In the finish, we don't know what's going through every player's listen, simply of course nosotros've thought of it," Castligione said. "And we've been very positive equally they have and very open up in our communication with the types of thoughts and the thought process that they might have. Information technology'due south not unique to today. When nosotros've had any type of coaching transition, information technology'southward [been a] like type of reaction."

Having Bob Stoops on board as the interim caput coach could help with harm control. During the press conference, the former OU motorcoach mentioned he had already joined the recruiting trail as acting head coach, and he and other OU staff members as well did home visits to recruits on Monday.

But it's non but recruiting that's important for the Sooners. Since Riley departed, current OU players Spencer Rattler, Austin Stogner and Jason Haselwood appear they've officially entered the transfer portal and will expect to play elsewhere.

So in addition to recruits, Stoops and the OU administration will need to convince electric current players to stay, besides.

"People want to exist able to step dorsum, breathe, consider whatever options might come their manner," Stoops said. "That beingness said, entering the transfer portal does not necessarily mean they leave through the portal. Very easily could just explore, understand what they take."

Another factor is the new transfer portal rules, which let players to transfer in one case without having to sit out a year.

Castligione said while about OU coach departures in the past were handled similarly, this one is unlike because of the new transfer and recruit rules.

"When we've had any type of coaching transition, information technology'south a similar type of reaction," Castligione said. "The transfer portal is unlike, where people can exit and go somewhere else and be immediately eligible. Years before, yous could concur people together for a little longer.

"They still may transfer after the new double-decker is hired and later they become a chance to meet and know whether or non in that location'south a fit. This one's a little different dynamic, because they tin can get immediately."

Some OU recruits and current players accept announced they are staying with the programme. Simply the Sooners volition take to work hard to continue their recruits and current players.

"We're going to do everything possible and give [them] every reason to stay," Castligione said.

Jesse Crittenden is the sports editor of The Transcript and covers OU athletics. Reach him at jesse@normantranscript.com or at 405-366-3580