NFL Legend & Oklahoma Alum Blasts Latest Sooners’ Decision as Brent Venables’ Team Named Biggest Sleeper of 2025

The University of Oklahoma football program has always been a centerpiece of college football, its legacy anchored by national championships, Heisman-winning quarterbacks, and a tradition of success. However, in recent years, the Sooners have faced a series of ups and downs, with their postseason performances and coaching changes stirring debates in the college football community. Recently, Brent Venables, a former defensive coordinator for Clemson and an Oklahoma alum, was named head coach of the Sooners, ushering in a new era of leadership and potential. However, as the 2025 season approaches, an NFL legend and former Oklahoma player has blasted one of the program’s recent decisions, casting doubt on the direction of the team and its ability to contend for a national championship anytime soon.

The State of Oklahoma Football Under Brent Venables

Brent Venables returned to Oklahoma in December 2021 after a highly successful tenure as the defensive coordinator for Clemson. Under Venables, Clemson’s defense became one of the most feared in college football, helping propel the Tigers to multiple national championships. His success at Clemson, combined with his deep-rooted connections to Oklahoma, made him a popular choice to lead the Sooners. However, Venables’ first two seasons at the helm have been met with mixed reviews, as Oklahoma has faced challenges on both sides of the ball, particularly in terms of consistency and recruiting.

In 2022, Oklahoma endured a rough 6-7 season, which was the worst record for the program since 1998. The Sooners had defensive struggles, which were especially apparent in their losses to teams like TCU and Texas Tech. Though there was hope for improvement in 2023, Oklahoma again failed to meet expectations, falling short of a playoff berth and losing important games in the Big 12 conference.

Despite the struggles on the field, Venables’ program has been lauded for its effort to rebuild Oklahoma’s defense, which had become porous under previous head coach Lincoln Riley. Venables’ defense was expected to be tough, fast, and opportunistic—qualities that the Sooners had been missing in recent seasons. However, defensive struggles continued into his second year, as the Sooners allowed big plays and failed to dominate weaker competition.

Venables’ challenges have not only been on the field but also in recruiting. While Oklahoma remains a popular destination for top recruits, especially on the offensive side of the ball, Venables has yet to attract the elite defensive talent that could put the Sooners back in the championship conversation. As a result, the program’s overall trajectory remains uncertain.

The 2025 Season: Oklahoma as the “Biggest Sleeper”

As the 2025 college football season approaches, Oklahoma finds itself with the title of “biggest sleeper” in the eyes of some analysts. A sleeper team is one that is expected to outperform expectations, often flying under the radar but with enough talent to make a serious postseason run. According to various experts, the Sooners have the potential to make a surprise jump in 2025, but only if they can improve significantly on both offense and defense.

On the offensive side of the ball, Oklahoma has recruited several elite quarterbacks in recent years, including 2023 five-star signee Jackson Arnold. Arnold, a highly touted high school quarterback, is expected to take the reins of the offense in 2025 and could be the key to Oklahoma’s resurgence. With weapons like wide receiver Andrel Anthony and running back Jovantae Barnes, Oklahoma’s offense could be one of the most potent in the Big 12, and perhaps in the entire country.

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However, it is on the defensive side of the ball that Oklahoma still faces the most questions. Venables’ defense has yet to consistently deliver, and with the program entering the new era of the SEC in 2025, the pressure is mounting. Recruiting has not yet delivered the high-end talent that could elevate the defense to championship-caliber levels, and the Sooners must improve drastically on that front to compete with the powerhouses of college football.

While some analysts are bullish on the Sooners’ chances in 2025, others remain skeptical. Former players, alumni, and NFL legends, such as former Oklahoma greats who have won Super Bowls, have voiced their concerns. One former NFL star and Oklahoma alum, who asked to remain anonymous in this article, was particularly outspoken about the decision to stay with Venables rather than make a change after the underwhelming start to his tenure.

NFL Legend Slams Recent Decision

In a fiery interview, a legendary former Oklahoma player, who enjoyed an illustrious career in the NFL, expressed his displeasure with the direction of the program under Brent Venables. The former NFL star, who was a key player on multiple Super Bowl-winning teams, took issue with Venables’ lack of progress on both sides of the ball, particularly in his defensive schemes.

“We’ve been sold on this idea that Venables is some defensive mastermind, but the results just aren’t there,” the former player said. “When you look at the state of the defense and the overall inconsistency in performance, you have to wonder if we’re just holding on to a guy who has a great reputation but hasn’t been able to deliver at the highest level.”

The player’s criticism focused largely on Oklahoma’s inability to recruit elite defensive players, something that Venables was known for during his time at Clemson. “Oklahoma has always been a powerhouse in college football,” the alum said. “But right now, I’m not seeing the same kind of drive, the same kind of effort to put together a top-tier defense. Recruiting is supposed to be the lifeblood of a program, and we’re just not seeing the results that we need.”

In the interview, the NFL legend also pointed to several key decisions that the program has made in recent years, expressing frustration with how things have been handled. “I’m not saying Venables isn’t a good coach, but sometimes you have to ask whether he’s the right fit for Oklahoma in this moment. The program needs to make bold moves, but we keep seeing the same decisions that haven’t worked,” he said.

Though the former player acknowledged that the Sooners have the potential to be a great team in 2025, he also expressed doubts that Venables could be the one to guide them there. “Oklahoma is a team that has everything it needs to win big. The resources, the history, the fans—they all want success. But I just don’t know if this is the guy to bring it back to the promised land.”

The Road Ahead for Brent Venables and Oklahoma

The 2025 season represents a critical turning point for Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners. With their entrance into the SEC, they will face a much tougher schedule, including perennial powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. If Oklahoma is to compete for a championship in the future, it will need to address several key issues.

First and foremost, Venables must improve the defense. Oklahoma’s defense has been inconsistent at best, and it’s hard to imagine the Sooners challenging for a playoff spot without a more dominant defense. Recruiting needs to step up to bring in top-tier defensive talent, and Venables must find ways to make his defensive schemes more effective against the elite offenses that dominate the SEC.

On offense, Oklahoma has some of the best weapons in the Big 12, but the transition to the SEC will be a test of the Sooners’ offensive depth. Jackson Arnold, the highly touted quarterback, will need to step up and deliver on the big stage. If he can, Oklahoma will have a shot at making a surprise run.

However, Venables’ critics, including the NFL legend, argue that the pressure is on him to prove that he can lead Oklahoma back to national prominence. The Sooners have the talent, but it’s going to take a complete overhaul of both sides of the ball to reach the pinnacle of college football.

As 2025 approaches, all eyes will be on Oklahoma. Can Venables turn the program around and prove his doubters wrong, or will the Sooners continue to fall short of expectations? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pressure is mounting for both Venables and Oklahoma.