The world of college football recruiting is constantly evolving, and the Oklahoma Sooners are no stranger to the pressure and drama that come with landing top-tier talent. This week, all eyes are on Oklahoma’s 2025 quarterback commit, Xander Eason, a highly regarded recruit who has been a staple in the Sooners’ recruiting class. Eason, a four-star quarterback from the Class of 2025, has been committed to the Sooners for several months, but this week, the situation has taken an interesting turn.
Reports have surfaced that Eason is set to visit two Power Four schools — Georgia and Alabama — this week, and the news has sent shockwaves through Oklahoma’s recruiting circles. These visits raise questions about Eason’s commitment to the Sooners and whether these visits will have any bearing on his future decision. In this article, we’ll break down the situation surrounding Xander Eason, the impact of these visits, and what it could mean for both Oklahoma and the two powerhouse programs.
Eason’s Commitment to Oklahoma: A Strong Start to the 2025 Class
Before diving into the impact of Eason’s visits, it’s important to understand just how important his commitment has been for Oklahoma. Xander Eason is a highly ranked prospect, sitting comfortably among the top quarterbacks in the nation for the Class of 2025. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 215 pounds, Eason possesses the size, arm strength, and athleticism that college coaches covet in a quarterback. He has shown impressive mobility in the pocket, a quick release, and the ability to make all the throws at a high level.
Eason committed to Oklahoma in early 2024, and his decision was a big win for head coach Brent Venables and the Sooners’ coaching staff. After taking over as head coach in 2022, Venables faced the task of rebuilding the Sooners’ recruiting efforts, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Eason’s commitment served as a signal to the rest of the country that the Sooners were still a force to be reckoned with on the recruiting trail.
Oklahoma has long been known for its ability to produce top-tier quarterbacks, and with Dillon Gabriel’s time in Norman likely coming to an end after the 2024 season, securing a strong signal-caller for 2025 was paramount for Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby. Eason’s decision to commit early gave the Sooners a strong foundation for their 2025 class, with the quarterback position locked down early in the process.
The Power Four Schools: Georgia and Alabama’s Interest
Georgia and Alabama are two of the most dominant programs in college football, and both have shown interest in Eason, which has added another layer of intrigue to this recruitment saga. These two schools have been highly successful under their respective head coaches, Kirby Smart at Georgia and Nick Saban at Alabama, and they consistently land some of the best recruiting classes in the nation.
Georgia Bulldogs: The Reigning National Champions
Georgia, the defending College Football Playoff National Champions, has been a juggernaut in college football under Smart’s leadership. The Bulldogs’ ability to recruit top talent at nearly every position has made them a powerhouse, and the quarterback position is no exception. Carson Beck, Georgia’s current starting quarterback, has performed well in his time as the starter, but Georgia continues to target high-level prospects for the future.
The Bulldogs have been involved in Eason’s recruitment for several months, and their interest is understandable. With Beck’s eligibility expiring after the 2024 season, Georgia will need to find their next quarterback of the future. They have targeted several top quarterbacks for their 2025 class, including Eason. Smart and his staff have reportedly made a strong push to get Eason on campus, and the upcoming visit is a sign that they are not backing off their pursuit of the talented signal-caller.
Georgia’s success in recent years, particularly on defense and their ability to develop quarterbacks, makes them an attractive option for top recruits. If Eason were to choose Georgia, he would be joining a program with an elite defense, a strong running game, and a history of developing quarterbacks, particularly Stetson Bennett and Jake Fromm, who have both excelled in the Bulldogs’ system. With Georgia continuing to dominate the college football landscape, a commitment to the Bulldogs would certainly make Eason a part of a future powerhouse.
Alabama Crimson Tide: The Dynasty Continues
On the other hand, Alabama is another top-tier program that is heavily involved in Eason’s recruitment. The Crimson Tide, under Saban, have established themselves as the gold standard in college football, with numerous national championships and a track record of developing elite quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones are just a few examples of quarterbacks who have flourished in Alabama’s system.
While Alabama has struggled at times in the quarterback department over the past few seasons, there is no questioning their ability to land elite talent. Eason fits the mold of a prototypical Alabama quarterback — a strong, athletic pocket passer with a cannon for an arm and the ability to read defenses at a high level.
The Crimson Tide have been in constant communication with Eason, and they have made it clear that they view him as their future quarterback. Alabama’s recruiting success, combined with their pedigree for developing quarterbacks and competing for national titles, makes them a serious contender for Eason’s commitment. His visit to Tuscaloosa this week will be critical in understanding just how serious the Tide are about landing the talented signal-caller.
What Do These Visits Mean for Oklahoma?
With Eason scheduled to visit Georgia and Alabama, the question on many Oklahoma fans’ minds is: What does this mean for the Sooners? After all, Oklahoma has been the frontrunner in his recruitment for several months, and the last thing the Sooners want is to lose their highly touted quarterback commit to one of these powerhouse programs.
The good news for Oklahoma is that Xander Eason has stated repeatedly that he remains committed to the Sooners, even amidst the interest from other schools. He has expressed strong affection for Brent Venables, Jeff Lebby, and the Oklahoma program as a whole. However, the reality of college football recruiting is that nothing is ever truly set in stone until the ink is on the National Letter of Intent.
Eason’s visits to Georgia and Alabama do not necessarily signal that he is wavering in his commitment, but they are a sign that he is taking his recruitment seriously and exploring all his options. It’s not uncommon for top prospects to take official visits to other schools, even if they are already committed elsewhere, especially given the changing landscape of college football with the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.
For Oklahoma, the key will be ensuring that they continue to maintain a strong relationship with Eason throughout the process. The Sooners will need to continue to make Eason feel like a priority and show him the potential for success in their offensive system. Additionally, they will need to reassure Eason that their program, led by Venables, is on the rise and capable of competing at the highest level.
The Impact on Oklahoma’s 2025 Recruiting Class
If Eason were to decommit from Oklahoma and ultimately choose Georgia or Alabama, it would be a significant blow to the Sooners’ 2025 recruiting class. Quarterback is such an important position, and losing a highly rated quarterback recruit could potentially derail the momentum that Oklahoma has built in its recruiting efforts under Brent Venables. A quarterback decommitment could have a ripple effect, leading to other recruits rethinking their commitments to Oklahoma.
On the other hand, if Eason stays firm in his commitment to the Sooners, it will only strengthen the program’s recruiting efforts. With Eason at the helm, Oklahoma would have the foundation for a future offense that can challenge the top teams in college football.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Eason and the Sooners
As Eason’s visits to Georgia and Alabama unfold, the next few weeks will be critical in determining the future of Oklahoma’s 2025 class. If Eason decides to stick with his commitment to the Sooners, Oklahoma fans can breathe a sigh of relief. However, if one of the other programs sways him during his visits, it could set off a new wave of recruiting uncertainty for Oklahoma.
For now, all eyes are on Eason and his decision-making process. The visits to Georgia and Alabama will provide crucial information about where his recruitment stands, and whether the Sooners will be able to keep him locked in or if they’ll need to regroup and find a new quarterback for the 2025 class.
Oklahoma’s recruiting efforts have been strong, and with the Sooners’ recent success in landing other key prospects, they are still positioned to be a force in college football recruiting. Whether or not Eason remains committed to the Sooners, it’s clear that his recruitment will be one of the most closely watched storylines in college football over the coming weeks.
