The offseason can be just as intense as the regular season for college football coaches, who are locked in fierce competition to secure top recruits. This battle doesn’t just involve high school players—it extends to current rosters of other programs as well. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is currently caught in one such struggle involving standout quarterback Jaden O’Neal. With other elite programs chasing him, Venables is at risk of losing another prized recruit.
Jaden O’Neal, a 4-star quarterback, is ranked as the No. 11 QB prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, according to On3. He committed to Oklahoma nearly 10 months ago. In the past, a commitment of that length typically meant the recruit was firmly loyal. However, times have changed. For example, Bryce Underwood recently flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan after nearly a year. O’Neal’s recent visits to Florida State on April 3 and Auburn on April 5 indicate that his recruitment is still very much in play. Even programs like Georgia and Alabama are making strong pushes to land him.
Despite this, some believe O’Neal might still stick with Oklahoma. In a recent podcast episode, it was noted that O’Neal has generated national interest from major programs like Georgia and Colorado, making it understandable why he might explore his options. But the recruiting landscape is shifting. While Venables has previously enforced a “no-visit” policy for committed players, it appears this approach may be softening. Players now commonly visit other schools even after committing—without necessarily decommitting.
According to the podcast, O’Neal may just be exploring other programs to better understand what each can offer. The belief is that this doesn’t signal an imminent flip. However, the situation remains fluid, and O’Neal might take additional visits before finalizing his decision. The recruitment process, especially at the high school level, requires both persistence and patience from coaching staffs, as they try to fend off interest from rival programs.
This situation is particularly concerning for Brent Venables, who has already suffered notable recruiting setbacks. Auburn previously landed Jackson Arnold, a key quarterback, after he entered the transfer portal. Florida State took 5-star quarterback Kevin Sperry from Oklahoma’s 2025 class, ending a commitment that had lasted over a year. Now, O’Neal—another top-tier talent—is attracting attention from those same schools.
Standing at 6’3” and weighing 210 pounds, O’Neal brings impressive physical attributes to the field. His 2024 high school season stats include 1,798 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes, and a completion rate of 70.9%. These numbers make him a highly desirable target for powerhouse programs across the country.
With high-profile coaches like Kirby Smart, Deion Sanders, and Kalen DeBoer all showing interest, Venables will need to step up his efforts to keep O’Neal in Norman. He’s faced similar challenges before, so it’s possible he has a strategy in mind.
In the competitive world of high school football recruiting, loyalty is hard to maintain, and nothing is guaranteed until a letter of intent is signed. Whether Jaden O’Neal stays with Oklahoma or is lured away by an SEC giant remains to be seen.