Brent Venables just made it crystal clear: Oklahoma isn’t adding any players who have signed a professional contract to their roster. This isn’t just a casual statement either, it’s a firm stance from the head coach amid the NCAA’s “five-for-five” rule, which allows some 2022 class players a fifth year of college football. And trust me, the college football world is paying attention.
The “Non-NFL” Guys Stepping Up for OU
Venables’ commitment to this rule became obvious right after Oklahoma’s dominant 51-0 victory over the UTEP Miners in Week 1. Defensive lineman Danny Saili, a fifth-year guy, was only ruled eligible on Thursday, played Friday night, and logged a tackle! That’s a quick turnaround. Saili has been with the team for a couple of weeks, and Venables is hyped about his instant impact. “Yeah, that was great,” Venables said, “He’s been with us for a couple of weeks, saw the field tonight, and he’s remarkably picked up things really fast. His experience really showed, and that’s one of the positions that we’re really concerned with just the overall depth, and so he’s going to be able to help us.” Saili’s case is still pending a preliminary injunction hearing, but he has a temporary restraining order allowing him to compete. The key here: Saili was in the transfer portal since January and never once tried to join an NFL team. That’s the distinction Venables is focused on.
And it doesn’t stop with Saili. Former Boise State defensive lineman Braxton Fely is also expected to join the roster soon. He’s reportedly enrolled at OU, has a temporary restraining order, and his case is also awaiting a preliminary injunction hearing. Just like Saili, Fely never signed an NFL contract, though he did get an invite to an NFL minicamp. These guys are coming in to bolster a defensive tackle spot where OU needs serious depth.
Venables Draws a Line in the Sand, and the SEC Is Watching
This isn’t just about getting some extra beef on the D-line. Venables’ firm “no pro contract” policy is a direct contrast to what other programs are reportedly attempting. Lane Kiffin has been trying to add players who *did* sign NFL contracts to his LSU roster, and that’s got the whole college football world in an uproar. Venables, predictably, is having none of that. “We’re not adding any players that signed a pro contract,” he stated unequivocally. “Our university and athletics department have been in touch with the SEC frequently, and just kind of on this matter and what the conference rules are and things of that nature, so we feel really good.”
He made it clear that Oklahoma has vetted these players “in great detail” and that it’s been a long-term plan. For Venables, it’s about competitive depth, yes, but also about cultural fit and playing by the rules. These players are filling holes where “we don’t have the same competitive depth that we did a year ago,” and that’s exactly where his “motives are.”
So, while these eligibility cases can always twist and turn, Oklahoma is clearly excited about Saili and the eventual addition of Fely. Venables is all about improving the roster the right way. This team is chasing competitive depth without ignoring the rules, and it’ll be exciting to see how Saili, and eventually Fely, solidify that defensive front for the Sooners moving forward this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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