The 2024 season served Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners with a buffet of trauma. Courtesy? Their 6-7 overall record. And guess what made their woes 100x more? Venables trying his hand in a new role. If the Sooners had been living inside the bubble of things falling into place in 2025, they got their bubble popped, receiving a schedule that will demand their blood, sweat, and tears. However, these are things that are not under Venables’ control. So, instead of pestering over these factors, the head coach took matters in his own hands. After all, what better way to come off as a dominant force than spreading waves in the recruiting trail? That’s when Venables came up with a sweet surprise for the Sooners fans. He picked up their first defensive commitment in the 2026 class. He had already taken notes about the John Mateer reminder.
Just when Venables might have thought that he only had to bear the blows of the 6-7 record, the transfer portal came up with some complimentary servings. The winter months have been too chilly for the Sooners’ fam. After all, they lost 26 players to the winter window of the portal. The departures that must have left a numbing pain are quarterback Jackson Arnold, wide receiver Jaquaize Pettaway, linebacker Dasan McCullough, wide receiver Brenen Thompson, among a bunch of others. At first, Venables took it in a good spirit. “Yeah, this is modern college football. I don’t think any team’s going to be immune to that.” But soon the spring portal came up to be more heartbreaking.
BREAKING: Class of 2026 Safety Niko Jandreau has Committed to Oklahoma, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’0 200 S from Chandler, AZ chose the Sooners over USC, Missouri, & Washington
“Norman I’m home.”https://t.co/CoRsVriKwI pic.twitter.com/2NtkW29Y73
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 13, 2025
They lost two running backs- Gavin Sawchuk and Sam Franklin to the portal. But it was expected to lose one of the key players in that position, after the addition of the tailback, Jadyn Ott. Managing the blows, Venables is already leaving his footprint in the 2026 class. On May 13, Hayes Fawcett confirmed that the Sooners landed the commitment from Niko Jandreau, a 6-foot-1 safety from Hamilton High School in Chandler. Was it an easy chase? Of course, not. Oklahoma had to beat USC, Washington, Missouri, and Georgia Tech in the race. However, Venables and co. went to great lengths to land Jandreau. Why though?
The 2024 season was all about the blunders they made pushing their quarterback, Mateer, to the edge. ON3 analyst J.D. PicKell highlighted it for the head coach. “[The offense] couldn’t protect the quarterback. John Mateer, when you turn on the tape and watch that dude play, he deals with pressure, I think, as well as anyone else in college football.” This was because their wide receivers’ room was bogged down by injuries. Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony, Jayden Gibson, and Jalil Farooq got blessed by the injury gods. It’s now time for celebration in the Oklahoma squad. Jandreau is the first commitment Venables has secured since landing four-star wide receiver Daniel Odom in January. Now, how are the fans feeling about it?
Brent Venables’ latest recruiting move gets approved by Oklahoma fans
Jandreau visited Oklahoma in spring. And the bond with the Venables squad has been one of the main reasons he thought of making the Sooners his new home. There is one more reason. As he shared in an interview with On3, “I have always wanted to play in the SEC or the Big Ten because that is where college football is going and I love what Oklahoma is doing… When I was breaking down schools, faith is very important and the right culture is what I have always been looking for. Oklahoma is strong in both of those. Winning is important too, and I am looking to be developed.” Now, will he live up to the expectations?
Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals, and On3, Jandreau is a versatile athlete who has been used all across the backend of the defense. He has got that hunger to prove himself in college. Thus, a fan believes he has the potential. “He wants to win!! Welcome home Niko Boomer sooner #Boomer Lfg.” Safety was a solid position in Venables’ squad last season. Billy Bowman Jr. came up with 54 tackles and two interceptions, while Robert Spears-Jennings came off with flying colors. In that way, Jandreau will carry the legacy. A fan commented, “BOOM!!!! Congratulations @NikoJandreau!! So happy for you and your family!!! Going to be fun watching you play on Saturdays. Someone get me some OU gear #RecruitAZ.”
While the new safety is yet to get his exposure in college, he will be learning from the best- Peyton Bowen and Jaydan Hardy. He just needs to tap into his passion and learning mode. To boost Jandreau to make the push, a fan commented, “LFG.” The young chap also has a twin brother, Beau Jandreau, who holds an offer from the Sooners to play linebacker. While Venables is yet to make that move, a fan is already happy with one brother. As he commented, “Nikooooooooooooooooo.”
Jandreau joins 4-star receiver Daniel Odom, as well as 4-star quarterback Jaden O’Neal, 3-star tight end Ryder Mix, and 3-star interior offensive lineman Will Conroy in the Sooners’ 2026 class. So, a fan is already hopeful about Brent Venables’ 2026 lineup. “Big get! Let’s get it rollin’ in the ‘26 class!” The Jandreau brothers are scheduled to return to Oklahoma on June 20. If Venables is successful in his Mission Beau, they would join Eli and Peyton Bowen, as well as Michael and Maliek Hawkins, as brothers who will suit up together for the crimson and cream.
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