ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Offers Strong Endorsement for Oklahoma Sooners General Manager Jim Nagy, Praising His Talent Evaluation Mastery

The Oklahoma Sooners’ football program has enjoyed a resurgence of national relevance, recruiting success, and roster stability under the watchful eye of General Manager Jim Nagy — and now, one of the most respected voices in football scouting has taken notice. ESPN’s longtime draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. offered glowing remarks this week about Nagy’s work in Norman, calling him “one of the sharpest minds in talent evaluation” and crediting him with laying the groundwork for Oklahoma’s aggressive rebuild.

For Nagy, who joined the Sooners as General Manager in 2023 after years of leading the Senior Bowl and working in NFL scouting circles, the recognition is validation of his meticulous approach to roster construction. For Kiper, the praise wasn’t simply lip service — it was rooted in years of observing Nagy’s ability to spot future stars before they became household names.

Speaking on ESPN’s “First Draft” podcast, Kiper pointed to Oklahoma’s noticeable improvement in roster depth, NFL-caliber talent, and developmental infrastructure as a direct reflection of Nagy’s influence.

“When you look at what Oklahoma’s building right now, it’s not an accident,” Kiper said. “Jim Nagy is as good as anyone I’ve seen at projecting college talent to the next level, and he’s applying that same eye to Oklahoma’s roster.”

It’s a significant endorsement coming from Kiper, who has served as ESPN’s lead NFL Draft analyst for nearly four decades. His reputation for evaluating prospects is built on consistency, deep scouting knowledge, and connections across the football landscape — connections that certainly intersect with Nagy’s.

Before arriving in Norman, Nagy spent five years as Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, transforming it into the premier pre-draft evaluation event for NFL hopefuls. Under his leadership, the Senior Bowl produced more than 100 drafted players annually, with Nagy overseeing roster selection and talent invitations. His fingerprints were evident on numerous success stories, including first-round picks and future NFL standouts.

Kiper noted that experience as one of Nagy’s defining traits.

“Jim Nagy isn’t just watching tape from afar — he’s been boots-on-the-ground with these players,” Kiper explained. “He’s sat across from them, assessed their character, their work ethic, and their skill sets. That’s invaluable when you’re building a college roster aimed at winning championships and producing pros.”

The Sooners have seen tangible results since Nagy’s arrival. In partnership with head coach Brent Venables, Nagy has implemented an NFL-style personnel model, focusing heavily on player evaluation, development, and long-term roster planning. That structure mirrors what successful programs like Alabama and Georgia have established, blending elite recruiting with strategic roster management.

Already, Oklahoma has shown signs of closing the talent gap with national contenders. The 2024 recruiting class finished ranked inside the top 10, bolstered by blue-chip prospects at key positions, while the transfer portal additions have brought instant-impact players to Norman. Kiper highlighted Oklahoma’s aggressive but calculated portal strategy as another area where Nagy’s expertise shines through.

“Anyone can go into the portal and grab names,” Kiper remarked. “But finding the right fits, the players who mesh with your culture and address specific needs — that takes a different level of evaluation. Jim Nagy has that.”

Perhaps most notably, Oklahoma’s revamped scouting department under Nagy has emphasized traits coveted by NFL scouts — size, speed, versatility, and positional value — ensuring players are not only capable at the college level but prepared to make the leap to Sundays. That dual focus, Kiper believes, will elevate Oklahoma’s standing with both recruits and NFL franchises.

“High school kids and their families pay attention to where players are being drafted,” Kiper explained. “If Oklahoma starts churning out first and second-rounders consistently, that’s a direct reflection of what Jim Nagy is building.”

It’s not the first time Nagy has drawn acclaim from NFL circles. Prior to his time at the Senior Bowl, Nagy spent nearly two decades as an NFL scout, working with the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks. His tenure included contributions to multiple Super Bowl-winning organizations, providing him with a blueprint for sustained success — one he’s now applying to Oklahoma’s storied program.

In that sense, Kiper’s praise underscores more than just recent recruiting success; it highlights the broader culture shift underway in Norman.

“This is about building a foundation,” Kiper emphasized. “Oklahoma’s not trying to catch lightning in a bottle for one season. They’re building the type of roster and infrastructure that competes year after year. You can trace that directly to Jim Nagy’s vision.”

Indeed, Nagy’s impact extends beyond roster moves. Sources within the program credit him with enhancing Oklahoma’s scouting processes, implementing data-driven evaluations, and establishing stronger ties with NFL personnel — all while collaborating seamlessly with Venables and the coaching staff.

For Oklahoma fans, the Kiper endorsement is another encouraging sign that the Sooners are aligning themselves with the nation’s elite. After years of near-misses in the College Football Playoff and questions about competing in the SEC, Nagy’s addition has injected confidence into the program’s future.

“You look at what Oklahoma’s facing with that move to the SEC, and having someone like Jim Nagy in-house gives them a huge advantage,” Kiper added. “He knows what an NFL player looks like. He knows what SEC competition demands. And he knows how to help Oklahoma meet that standard.”

The respect is mutual. Nagy, known for his humble and meticulous approach, has often spoken about his admiration for evaluators like Kiper and his desire to bring a professional-level scouting mindset to college football.

In a recent interview, Nagy credited his NFL background for shaping his philosophy but emphasized that college football presents unique challenges — from managing roster turnover to navigating the evolving NIL landscape.

“It’s a different world in college football now, but the core principles remain,” Nagy said. “Evaluate talent honestly, build relationships, and construct a roster that’s built to last.”

Kiper believes that mindset gives Oklahoma staying power, especially as the program prepares for its full SEC integration.

“They’re going to need depth, toughness, and elite athletes across the board,” Kiper concluded. “With Jim Nagy guiding that process, Oklahoma is putting itself in position to compete with anyone.”

For a program steeped in tradition but eager for a new era of dominance, Nagy’s influence — now endorsed by one of football’s most respected voices — signals that the Sooners are charting a course toward long-term, sustainable success.

And with NFL Draft weekends in the years ahead likely to feature more Oklahoma prospects hearing their names called early, Jim Nagy’s reputation — already sterling among scouts — could soon be cemented in Norman as one of the architects of the Sooners’ next great run.