As the Oklahoma Sooners prepare for their transition into the Southeastern Conference (SEC), head coach Brent Venables is making headlines not only for his disciplined approach to coaching but also for the glowing praise he has heaped upon a core of younger players who are poised to step into more prominent roles in the 2025 season. Venables, known for his energy and emphasis on player development, has recently gone public with his excitement about a group of rising stars who are already turning heads in offseason workouts, summer training, and film review sessions. It’s not every year that a team gets to witness the brewing of a potentially elite generation of athletes, but according to Venables, the Sooners may be doing just that.
During media availability, booster events, and team insider updates, Venables has shown a palpable enthusiasm for the youthful core that is forming the foundation of the next chapter in Oklahoma football. While veterans are usually the storylines during spring and summer camp, Venables has spent more time highlighting what he sees as “future Sunday players” — a reference to their NFL potential — who are currently waiting in the wings but are already earning respect from their teammates and coaching staff. This renewed focus on youth development is no accident; it’s part of the blueprint Venables has been refining since he took the job, aiming to mold not just a roster of elite athletes but a unit defined by depth, discipline, and dynamic playmaking.
One of the primary names catching Venables’ attention is redshirt freshman linebacker James Nesta, who arrived in Norman as a highly-touted recruit but has now blossomed into something even more special than the staff initially predicted. While Nesta didn’t see significant game action in his first year, the 2024 practices showed flashes of elite sideline-to-sideline speed and natural instinct, making him a prime candidate to take over one of the starting linebacker roles. With Venables himself being a former linebacker and one of the premier defensive minds in college football, his praise carries weight — and his description of Nesta as “a guy who just gets it” is a strong endorsement of the young man’s football IQ and coachability.
Not far behind in the praise train is wide receiver KJ Daniels, a true freshman with elite acceleration and the kind of change-of-direction skill that makes defensive backs look helpless. Daniels was originally considered a long-term project due to his slight frame, but in recent weeks Venables has noted how rapidly he has added muscle and how his understanding of the playbook has advanced beyond expectations. What makes Daniels particularly intriguing is his versatility; he can line up inside or outside and has already shown a knack for creating separation, making him a potential breakout target in an offense that could benefit from some surprise contributors in the wake of veteran departures.
Another player earning rave reviews is safety Michael Patterson-McDonald. A cerebral, hard-hitting defensive back, Patterson-McDonald plays with the kind of edge that Venables covets in his back-end defenders. Coaches have praised his film study habits, vocal leadership, and an uncanny ability to track the ball in midair. Though he was expected to be more of a rotational depth piece, Venables has hinted that he could see starting snaps as early as Week 1 of the 2025 campaign. His emergence may allow the Sooners more schematic flexibility, particularly in nickel and dime packages, giving Venables options to counter the high-octane offenses they’ll face in the SEC.
True freshman defensive lineman Jayden Jackson, another surprise standout, has also earned high marks. Despite being one of the youngest players on the roster, Jackson has exhibited grown-man strength and a motor that never seems to stop. Coaches have remarked how he finishes every rep in practice like it’s a game-deciding play, a trait that has not gone unnoticed by his more experienced teammates. Venables has praised Jackson for being teachable, tough, and relentless — three adjectives that form the core of his defensive philosophy. Though initially penciled in as a rotational player, Jackson could push for significant playing time by midseason, especially if injuries or underperformance shake up the depth chart.
On the offensive side, quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. is another name Venables has been enthusiastic about, though he has made clear that Hawkins still has development ahead. Still, Venables’ willingness to bring up a young quarterback in public comments speaks volumes. Known for his dual-threat capabilities, Hawkins has already impressed the coaching staff with his poise and ability to read defenses in simulated environments. While it’s unlikely he overtakes the starting role in 2025 with veteran Dillon Gabriel and others still ahead of him, the coaching staff sees Hawkins as the potential future of the program. His work ethic, combined with elite athletic traits, makes him a compelling watch as the season progresses.
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Heath Ozaeta has also been earning quiet praise from Venables and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh. Ozaeta, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing over 300 pounds, has the frame and power to become a long-term starter. He’s been described as a sponge in the meeting rooms and has made significant strides in technique and leverage. With the offensive line needing to solidify depth ahead of their brutal SEC schedule, don’t be surprised if Ozaeta carves out a larger role, even if it’s in a rotational capacity initially.
Venables’ vision for the Sooners isn’t just about building a top-tier starting lineup — it’s about creating a culture of readiness and player-led accountability. That’s why he’s so vocal about the younger players: he wants them to feel empowered, to know their number could be called at any moment, and to carry themselves like leaders-in-waiting. This is particularly critical as the Sooners step into the SEC gauntlet, where injuries, attrition, and depth issues can derail even the most talented squads. By developing younger players now and giving them meaningful reps, both mentally and physically, Oklahoma is positioning itself to weather the challenges ahead.
Off the field, Venables has implemented more holistic development plans for his young stars. Players like Nesta, Daniels, and Patterson-McDonald are not only being challenged on the field but are also taking leadership courses, participating in community service initiatives, and being mentored by upperclassmen. Venables believes in shaping complete individuals — and he knows that investing in a young player’s character can pay dividends when the pressure mounts in front of 90,000 fans under the lights.
Several veteran players have also taken notice of the youth movement. Reports from inside the locker room indicate that older players are mentoring the freshmen more than in years past, a reflection of the culture Venables is cultivating. Veteran cornerback Gentry Williams recently commented that the younger players “act like they’ve already been here a year or two,” signaling a maturity level that can’t be manufactured. That kind of endorsement from an upperclassman carries serious weight and bodes well for the overall chemistry of the team.
The excitement around these younger Sooners isn’t just coach-speak or offseason fluff. Observers at open practices and team scrimmages have noted the same things Venables has mentioned: improved technique, hunger for competition, and a genuine belief that they belong. When a coach as intense and meticulous as Brent Venables raves about a group of young players, it’s more than just filling a press conference with optimism — it’s a warning shot to the rest of the SEC that Oklahoma is not coming to play catch-up, they’re coming to compete immediately.
Venables knows the spotlight will be bright in 2025. With the move to the SEC, every week will bring a playoff-like atmosphere, every snap will matter, and every depth chart wrinkle could determine the outcome of a close game. That’s why he’s so committed to preparing the next wave of stars — not just for future years, but for the battles ahead in the coming season. These aren’t just backups or redshirt placeholders. They are weapons-in-waiting, and Venables is making sure they are forged in the fire before being unleashed.
The 2025 season will be one of transition, pressure, and opportunity. For Brent Venables, it’s also a chance to show that Oklahoma’s future is not years away — it’s already here, wearing a new number, learning faster than expected, and ready to take the field with something to prove.
