The Oklahoma Sooners suffered a significant blow on the recruiting trail as longtime interior offensive line commit Will Conroy has officially decommitted from the program. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound standout from the state of Texas had been verbally committed to Oklahoma for nearly a year, serving as one of the cornerstones of the Sooners’ 2025 class. His decision to reopen his recruitment not only disrupts the trajectory of Oklahoma’s offensive line future but also sparks a renewed battle among top-tier programs to secure the services of one of the most coveted linemen in the nation.
Conroy’s commitment was a foundational piece of what the Sooners had been building along the trenches. Known for his power at the point of attack, technical refinement, and advanced football IQ, he drew comparisons to past Oklahoma greats who went on to dominate at the collegiate level and beyond. For offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, who has built a strong reputation as one of the best developers of talent in the nation, Conroy was seen as a perfect fit—a moldable yet ready-made talent who could anchor the interior of the offensive line for years to come. Now, with Conroy walking away from his pledge, the Sooners are left scrambling to fill a void that’s about more than just size and strength—it’s about trust, planning, and continuity.
For months, Conroy was all-in on the Sooners. He spoke frequently about the culture in Norman, the legacy of elite linemen, and the appeal of playing in the SEC. He attended games, engaged with fellow commits, and helped serve as a peer recruiter, urging other top prospects to join him. His public-facing confidence in the Sooners’ future made his decommitment all the more jarring. Sources close to the situation suggest that the decision wasn’t made lightly. With a flurry of new offers, coaching staffs showing aggressive interest, and multiple schools making a late push, Conroy began to re-evaluate his options.
Texas A\&M, Alabama, and Oregon are now considered frontrunners in Conroy’s re-opened recruitment. Each of those programs offers unique appeals: Texas A\&M provides proximity to home and a revamped offensive vision under its new staff; Alabama sells a legacy of dominance in the trenches and national prestige; Oregon pitches innovation, NIL opportunities, and a dynamic brand that resonates with modern recruits. Conroy, ever the tactician on the field, now seems to be applying that same careful deliberation off it, weighing every angle before locking in his final decision.
For Oklahoma, the loss of Conroy is about more than losing a talented lineman—it’s symbolic of the volatility in the modern recruiting era. In a landscape increasingly shaped by NIL deals, coaching turnover, and high-profile transfers, a verbal commitment carries less long-term weight than it once did. Programs must now recruit players continuously, even after securing commitments. The Conroy situation is a harsh reminder that nothing is final until the ink is dry on signing day.
Still, Oklahoma remains hopeful. The staff has pivoted quickly, reaching out to other highly-ranked IOL prospects and re-engaging with players previously considered long shots. Among them are several blue-chip recruits who are currently uncommitted and might view the newly opened spot on the Sooners’ depth chart as an opportunity. The appeal of playing under Bedenbaugh remains strong, especially for those who follow NFL Draft trends and recognize his track record of developing linemen into pro-ready prospects.
The Sooners also hope that this moment, while frustrating, can galvanize the rest of the class. Recruiting insiders believe that Oklahoma’s core group remains solid, with leaders in the class already reaching out to reinforce bonds and prevent any ripple effect. Still, losing a high-profile player like Conroy inevitably raises questions among fans and even fellow recruits. Was this a one-off decision based on personal preferences? Or is it indicative of broader concerns?
From what’s been gathered, there is no internal panic within the Oklahoma program. The staff believes they were transparent with Conroy and provided everything promised during his initial recruitment. But it’s clear that something changed in recent weeks. Whether it was an uptick in communication from competing programs or a shifting personal outlook, Conroy’s heart began to wander. And once a recruit opens that door, it’s hard to close it again without repercussions.
Conroy’s departure also puts pressure on Oklahoma’s 2025 offensive line group as a whole. With the move to the SEC looming large, the Sooners can’t afford to have any softness in the trenches. Games in the SEC are won and lost in the trenches, and the staff knows it must stockpile depth and talent to survive and thrive. Losing someone with Conroy’s upside—especially one already familiar with the system and the expectations—hurts in both the short and long term.
For Conroy, this next phase of his recruitment may be less about flash and more about fit. Wherever he ends up, he’ll likely be an early contributor and potential starter. His blend of physicality, coachability, and maturity has made him one of the most attractive interior line prospects in the country. Though this chapter with Oklahoma may be closing, his story is far from over. There’s still a full senior season ahead, likely more visits to take, and a final decision that will shape not just his future, but the trajectory of whichever program lands him.
In the end, this is the new reality of big-time college football recruiting. The relationships are real, the emotions are raw, and the stakes are sky-high. Every commitment is now a battleground, and every decommitment reverberates far beyond the player involved. For Oklahoma, the goal now is to move forward with clarity, regroup with urgency, and recommit to the principles that made them attractive to someone like Will Conroy in the first place.
This decommitment will sting for a while. The social media reaction from fans and rival programs alike has already begun. Some are expressing disappointment, others frustration, and plenty are calling for answers. But for the Oklahoma staff, the only option is to keep pushing forward. The 2025 class is still loaded with potential, and the SEC era still beckons. Conroy may no longer be part of that story, but the book is far from finished.
Recruiting is a marathon, not a sprint. And in a race that’s constantly evolving, every step counts—even the ones that lead a player in a different direction.
