The Oklahoma Sooners are making waves this offseason, pursuing Marvin Jones Jr., a former five-star prospect who’s been showcasing his talent across different teams. After spending two seasons with Georgia and then moving to Florida State for the 2024 season, Jones has thrown his name into the transfer portal, shaking up the recruiting scene once again.
The buzz is that the Sooners, under the guidance of head coach Brent Venables, are preparing to roll out the red carpet for Jones’ visit. A glance at his college career shows that he’s no stranger to the field, having played in 36 games primarily in a rotational capacity. However, 2024 marked a turning point for Jones at Florida State, where he recorded 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks—impressive stats that underline his disruptive potential. He also managed to register 16 pressures on 387 snaps, injecting a healthy dose of aggression into the Seminoles’ defensive front. Back in 2023, Jones took down the opposition with 12 tackles, five tackles for loss, and snagged a sack, signaling his growth trajectory.
Jones’ journey began with sky-high expectations, coming in as the No. 2 edge rusher in the 2022 Recruiting Class, a testament to his sheer talent and physical prowess. Notably, he once had Oklahoma on his radar, thanks to an offer from the Sooners during a recruiting phase spearheaded by former outside linebackers coach Jamar Cain. Although Cain departed amid the coaching transition from Lincoln Riley to Brent Venables, there’s a familiar thread—Venables himself had recruited Jones in his Clemson days, adding an intriguing layer to this potential reunion.
For Oklahoma, Jones could be a crucial piece to the puzzle. They’ve seen three key players—Ethan Downs, Trace Ford, and Caiden Woullard—exit from the defensive end rotation due to eligibility, creating a need for seasoned talents to fill the void. While promising young prospects like Adepoju Adebawore, Danny Okoye, Wyatt Gilmore, and Nigel Smith bring fresh energy to the field, the Sooners are eyeing experience to fortify their pass rush.
There’s also anticipation surrounding R Mason Thomas, who turned heads with 9.5 sacks in 2024. If Thomas decides to return and Jones signs on, the Sooners’ defense could feature a formidable duo of edge rushers ready to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks in the upcoming 2025 season. The synergy of youth, experience, and raw ability could very well spell trouble for offenses everywhere, marking Oklahoma as a force to be reckoned with once more.
