OU Football to Replace Spring Game with New Crimson Combine

The Oklahoma Sooners’ football program is embracing a new chapter in the offseason, ushering in a significant change that will undoubtedly impact both the players and fans alike. For years, the spring football game has been a hallmark of the Sooners’ tradition, an opportunity for fans to watch their team in action and get an early preview of the upcoming season. However, the program has announced that it will be replacing the annual spring game with a new event called the Crimson Combine.

This decision has stirred up plenty of discussion among the Oklahoma football community, with many wondering why the change was made and what the Crimson Combine will look like. While the spring game typically serves as a light-hearted scrimmage to give fans a taste of what’s to come in the fall, the Crimson Combine is set to serve as a more intense, evaluation-focused event that will prioritize player development, recruiting, and showcasing the team’s talent in a unique and competitive way.

In this article, we’ll dive into the reasoning behind replacing the spring game with the Crimson Combine, explore what this new event will look like, and examine how it could impact the future of Oklahoma football. From its design to its potential benefits, we’ll break down why this change could be a game-changer for the program.

The Tradition of the Spring Game

Before we delve into the new event, it’s important to understand the significance of the spring game in Oklahoma football culture. For decades, the spring game has been an annual event that served as both a celebratory occasion and a way to showcase the team’s progress. The event was designed to give fans a sneak peek into the new season and provide the coaching staff with valuable insights into how the players were developing during the offseason.

Typically, the spring game is a light scrimmage where the players get an opportunity to compete in front of fans, but it has historically not been a high-stakes event. In most cases, the teams are divided into two groups, and the focus is less on winning and more on player evaluation, practice, and having fun. Fans are treated to a relaxed, family-friendly event with a lot of energy and excitement surrounding the team.

While the spring game has been a tradition for many years, the dynamics of college football, including recruiting, player development, and the increasing competitiveness in the Big 12 and nationwide, have led to changes in how teams approach spring practices and events. In this context, Oklahoma has opted for something different in 2025 — the Crimson Combine.

The Crimson Combine: What’s Different?

The Crimson Combine is a bold departure from the traditional spring game, and its format and structure will look quite different from what fans have come to expect. The event is designed to serve as a more evaluation-based showcase, focusing on the team’s most important players and giving the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate talent more thoroughly. It will prioritize player development and scouting rather than simply providing entertainment for the fanbase.

A Combine-Like Atmosphere

The Crimson Combine will be more closely aligned with the format of a professional NFL Combine than a typical spring game. Players will compete in various drills and scenarios that highlight their athleticism, strength, agility, and skill. It will be less about running plays and more about seeing individual players’ abilities in a series of competitive situations.

For example, quarterbacks will have the chance to show off their arm strength, accuracy, and decision-making in passing drills. Wide receivers and running backs will be tested in agility drills and one-on-one competitions. Offensive and defensive linemen will go through blocking and pass-rushing simulations. The emphasis will be on measurable skills and performance, with the goal of helping the coaching staff assess how players have progressed during the spring.

The Crimson Combine will also incorporate competitive one-on-one matchups between skill players, such as wide receivers vs. defensive backs, which will give fans an opportunity to see some intense, high-energy action. For positions like cornerback, linebacker, and running back, the focus will be on testing reaction times, quickness, and understanding of schemes.

Player Development Focus

One of the driving forces behind the move to the Crimson Combine is the emphasis on player development. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and his staff have made it clear that their goal is to develop their players to the highest level and focus on improving both individual skills and team dynamics throughout the offseason.

By replacing the spring game with a more structured and intensive event like the Crimson Combine, the coaching staff can evaluate players in a more focused and goal-oriented environment. Spring practices are a time for players to fine-tune their skills, and the combine will give coaches a chance to see those improvements in a more competitive and measurable way.

The event will also serve as an opportunity for young and emerging players to showcase their talents. While some players may not have had the chance to shine during regular practices or scrimmages, the Crimson Combine offers them a platform to prove themselves and potentially earn a larger role in the upcoming season. For recruits, the event could serve as an unofficial evaluation of talent, allowing Venables and his staff to see how players handle pressure, competition, and evaluation.

Recruiting and Scouting Opportunities

Another key aspect of the Crimson Combine is its focus on recruiting. While the event is still primarily a team activity, it will also serve as an opportunity for high school recruits to get a closer look at the Oklahoma football program. The format will allow recruits to come in and observe the competition, interact with coaches, and gain a better understanding of the team’s culture and values.

For the recruits, the Crimson Combine will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how Oklahoma runs its football program and how the coaching staff evaluates players. In turn, the Oklahoma coaches will be able to observe recruits in a more real-time, action-packed setting, further enhancing the scouting process.

Why the Change Was Made

The decision to replace the spring game with the Crimson Combine wasn’t made in a vacuum. There are several key reasons why Oklahoma chose to take this new approach, including changes in how the sport is evolving, the increased focus on player development, and the team’s desire to adapt to the modern landscape of college football.

Increased Competition Across College Football

The landscape of college football is becoming more competitive than ever. Teams are recruiting better, developing players more efficiently, and creating more opportunities for success. The Big 12, in particular, has become a battleground, with teams like Oklahoma State, Texas, Baylor, and others ramping up their recruiting and coaching staffs. To stay ahead of the competition, the Sooners need to be proactive and innovative in how they evaluate and develop their talent.

By moving away from the traditional spring game and introducing the Crimson Combine, Oklahoma is signaling its commitment to staying on the cutting edge of player development and team preparation. The combine format allows the coaching staff to assess players’ skill sets more thoroughly, making it easier to identify the players who will help the team succeed in the fall.

Focus on Player Development

Another driving factor behind the decision is the increased emphasis on player development at all levels of college football. With NIL deals, transfer portal movements, and the continued evolution of the game, there is a growing need for college football programs to focus on developing their players into fully-rounded athletes. The Crimson Combine will give Oklahoma’s staff a chance to refine their players’ skills in a more structured and focused environment, helping the program produce top-tier talent year in and year out.

Relevance to Modern Football

Football, like all sports, continues to evolve. As college football has become more data-driven and focused on metrics, the need for traditional spring games that focus on entertainment and fan engagement has waned. The Crimson Combine represents Oklahoma’s desire to adapt to the new era of football, where performance metrics, player development, and evaluation are paramount.

Fan Engagement and What to Expect

While the Crimson Combine will certainly look different from the traditional spring game, that doesn’t mean the event will lack fan engagement. In fact, the event could lead to an even greater connection between fans and the program, as the combine offers a unique opportunity to see the raw athleticism and skills of the players up close.

Fans will still be able to attend the event, and they’ll have the opportunity to watch the players compete in a more intense, hands-on environment. There will likely be opportunities for fans to meet coaches, interact with players, and get a glimpse of what’s to come in the fall.

Additionally, the increased focus on recruiting and scouting will give fans more insight into who the Sooners are targeting and how the program is evolving.

 A New Era for Oklahoma Football

The decision to replace the spring game with the Crimson Combine marks the beginning of a new era for Oklahoma football. By shifting the focus from entertainment to player development, competition, and recruitment, the Sooners are taking a bold step toward improving their program and ensuring that they remain competitive at the highest levels of college football.

While the Crimson Combine may take some getting used to for longtime fans who are accustomed to the traditional spring game, it promises to be an exciting and forward-thinking event that benefits the players, the coaches, and the fanbase. Oklahoma is embracing change, and this innovative approach will likely set the tone for how the program prepares for future seasons, continuing to build on its rich history while adapting to the demands of modern college football.

With the Crimson Combine in place, Oklahoma football is poised to make a bigger splash on the national scene, and fans can expect an exhilarating preview of the talent and depth that will define the Sooners in 2025 and beyond.