Brent Venables and the Sooners already had a backup recruit ready after one commit just left for a much worse program

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The Oklahoma Sooners lost running back recruit Jaxsen Stokes, but already have another running back to whom they have sent an offer.

The Oklahoma Sooners have sent out an offer to 2027 three-star RB Timmie "TJ" Lewis. This comes just after they lost a running back to a worse program, even though he had been committed to OU for some time.

According to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals, the Sooners have lost running back commit Jaxsen Stokes, who decommitted and then flipped to the Cal Golden Bears. Stokes had a message delivered by Fawcett, too.

"The best in California play for California! Psalm 23:3."

Cal is a good program, but it's not on par with programs like OU, USC, Oregon, or even UCLA, you could argue. Stokes was committed to the Sooners since Nov. 7. He is the No. 571 overall prospect and No. 51 RB in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, and he's also the No. 51 player in California.

The Sooners, along with several other big-time schools, are losing out on a very talented RB to a program that is much worse, respectively. But, they already have a very talented replacement ready, and have sent an offer out.

Sooners could use 2027 RB TJ Lewis

Lewis is a 6'0, 215-pound running back from Illinois. He's a bigger build at the RB position, something the Sooners seem to like on the physical side. The Oklahoma Sooners have just one RB in the 2027 class right now in Keldrid Ben, so getting a guy like Lewis would be great. You love to bring in at least two RBs just about every single class.

In the 2026 class, the Sooners could have two guys who play a significant role in Hatton and Walker. Both have had amazing spring practices, and if they're playing as true freshmen, they could get injured. That would only open up more playing time for the 2027 freshmen next season, just as it did this year for those guys.

Lewis is currently projected by Rivals to go to Indiana. But that was before Oklahoma came into the equation. Who knows what could happen now? The Sooners need to get him on campus for a visit, and maybe a few visits. He's taken three visits with Wisconsin and two with Indiana. If OU can get him to Norman, it could change everything.

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