Sooners' top 2027 commit is doing some elite recruiting already, and he's using some of the best lines possible

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The Oklahoma Sooners will have one of the best defenses in the country again, and always will as long as Brent Venables is the head coach.

The Oklahoma Sooners have had an elite defense the last two seasons. Now that head coach Brent Venables has had his system, players, and coaches in place, we can assume they will always have a good defense. In 2026, it should be just as good, if not better than last year’s.

However, they want to keep that streak going every single year. In 2027, they have some elite defenders coming in with that class. Taven Epps seems to be the guy that everyone wanted because of his versatility as an off-ball linebacker, on-ball linebacker, and possibly an edge rusher. He’s found a home with OU, and now he’s trying to bring more players with him.

“I’m trying to get Jordan Hicks and JuJu Johnson over there,” Epps said to OU Insider. “And I’m trying to have Khalil Terry flip from UCLA and come to OU… Why would you not want to play for the No. 1 defense in the country?”

Epps poses the perfect question for recruits. If you don’t want to play in the No. 1 defense, you’re either scared of competition or the money is more of a deal than it should be. Oklahoma doesn’t go after players like that.

JuJu Johnson and Jordan Hicks recruitment so far

Johnson is a four-star cornerback in Long Beach, California. He’s 6’0, with elite length and athleticism, and could even push for a spot as a five-star by the time he graduates. He’s got offers from nearly everyone, but most notably Miami, UCLA, Nebraska, and Cal. Those schools seem to have the best chances of landing Johnson, outside of OU, of course.

According to the Rivals recruiting system, the Sooners have the best chance of landing Johnson at 94%. Epps is close to Johnson in terms of them both playing in the same area. So, that’s probably had somewhat of an impact. Then again, the Sooners have been doing some incredible recruiting in California lately.

Hicks is a four-star cornerback who’s also in California. He’s got offers from OU, USC, Cal, UCLA, Louisville, and Syracuse. However, his rating is a bit different, where he is projected to land with the Trojans, and the Sooners are not even one of the top five with a chance to land him, according to Rivals.

If Epps is in his ear, though, then the Sooners could have a shot. Epps is clearly doing some elite recruiting, and Hicks is the kind of player who would fit well in Venables’ defense. Hicks is a 2028 recruit, though, and still has a ton of time to decide where he’s going.

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