Oklahoma emerging as a leader for top-10 tight end recruit

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The Oklahoma Sooners are preparing for the 2026 college football season as fall camp is winding to a close. However, Jim Nagy and his staff are already working on the 2028 recruiting class, even though signing day for the 2027 class is months away.

A player the Sooners have circled as a target is four-star tight end Ridge Janes. The St. Louis native is ranked as the No. 8 tight end in the 2028 recruiting class. He has some big-time offers from the Missouri Tigers, the Ohio State Buckeyes, Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers.

While that recruitment is still in the early stages, Rivals recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong believes the Sooners and tight end coach Jason Witten are in a good spot.

"No. 8 tight end in the country, Ridge Janes will be at Oklahoma on Halloween," Wiltfong said via the "Wiltfong Whiparound for Rivals on YouTube. "He's got a big list of schools, but I think Oklahoma's closer to the top of that list."

Janes' upcoming visit to Norman gives Oklahoma an opportunity to make an early impression on one of the top tight ends in the 2028 recruiting class. With major programs already involved, the Sooners will have plenty of competition, but Wiltfong's assessment suggests Oklahoma has established itself as a serious contender.

The timing also highlights how aggressively Oklahoma is approaching recruiting under Nagy. The Sooners aren't waiting until prospects become national priorities before building relationships. They're identifying elite players early and attempting to establish themselves before the recruiting race becomes crowded.

The hiring of Witten could also prove valuable in this recruitment. Witten brings an elite playing résumé and years of NFL experience to a position that Oklahoma has made a priority after struggling to get consistent production from its tight ends.

If Witten can help Oklahoma land Janes, it would be an early statement for the new-look tight end room and the Sooners' revamped recruiting operation. Janes still has a long way to go before signing with a school, but getting him to Norman for an important visit and moving Oklahoma toward the top of his list would be a significant early win.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma emerging as a leader for top-10 tight end recruit

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