One of the greatest players in the world has just been signed by the Oklahoma Sooners coach.
Oklahoma defeated Texas in the midst of summer to win their first game of the season. Brent Venables and company defeated the Longhorns for the talented 4-star offensive lineman Eugene Brooks, who announced his commitment on July 25, even though the Red River Rivalry wouldn’t take place until October.
I mean, it was just the coach and I became friends that brought me to Oklahoma. Brooks stated on Friday, “You know, the relationship with the coach.” “Just a sense of belonging, my family. They not only enlisted my family, but also me. You know, they greeted me warmly and gave me the impression that I was at home.
Brooks is in Orlando for the Under Armour All-American Game, where he is playing alongside fellow OU signees Daniel Akinkunmi, David Stone, and Jaydan Hardy. Brooks signed with the Sooners on December 20. During the media day for the event on Friday, Brooks gave a speech to reporters outlining his decision to choose Oklahoma over Texas.
The adaptable prospect also mentioned that, despite Texas’s loss, he was closer to Venables and the Sooners’ staff than he was to any other coaches he encountered during the recruiting process. In addition to the program’s familial component, Brooks stated that playing for legendary offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh had a significant influence on his choice. “I find it astounding the players that (Bedenbaugh) has contributed to the league,” Brooks remarked. “Every player wants to retire their mother, so my goal is to make it to the NFL and be able to do that.” Being able to travel there in a few months and perform for him is simply a blessing for me. Bedenbaugh, who has been at Oklahoma since 2013, has an amazing record of turning out NFL draft picks in the trenches.
The Joe Moore Award, which is given to the top offensive line in college football, was won by the Sooners’ o-line in 2018 under his coaching. Orlando Brown, Dru Samia, and Creed Humphrey are three of the past seven Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year winners that the well-known coach has coached. One player under Bedenbaugh’s coaching in 2023, Andrew Raym, was named to the Second Team All-Big 12 squad.
Although Brooks, a former Broyles Award finalist, is well-known for being tough on the practice field and sidelines, he stated he has no issue with strict coaching. “It’s football, you understand what I mean when I say there will be more coaches to come,” Brooks remarked. “It’s nothing more than a chance and a lesson in life.” The OU fan base has expressed concerns regarding the team’s offensive line coach as a result of the Sooners’ offensive line not being as strong as some felt it should be and a few talented linemen leaving the program.
