Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) and quarterback Jackson Arnold (10) warm up before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Brent Venables is borrowing a strategy from Ryan Day and Ohio State football, as Oklahoma secures a commitment from Jaden O’Neal, a highly sought-after quarterback prospect for the class of 2026. Despite competing against Mario Cristobal’s Miami Hurricanes and others, Oklahoma won out. O’Neal, ranked third among quarterbacks in his class, marks the highest-rated QB recruit for Venables since Jackson Arnold in 2023, per ESPN’s Eli Ledman.
Initially considering options like Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns and Mario Cristobal’s Miami, O’Neal ultimately favored Oklahoma after visiting multiple programs, including Ryan Day’s Ohio State team. What drew him to Oklahoma was their passionate football culture, minimal distractions in Norman, strong academics, and impressive teammates.
Coming from California, O’Neal was discerning about the atmosphere and development opportunities offered by each school, especially focusing on his NFL aspirations. He found Oklahoma’s energy and tradition genuine and aligning well with his personal and family needs, solidifying his decision to commit without further official visits.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and showing early promise with 2,475 passing yards and 27 touchdowns in his latest high school season, O’Neal looks forward to further growth within the Oklahoma football program.
