BOOMER SPECIAL TEAMS SPLASH: Oklahoma Lands Kohl’s Kicking Five-Star Phenom Trace Rudd—Elite Specialist Set to Elevate Sooners’ Game-Changing Edge
Trace Rudd’s commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners might not grab headlines like a five-star quarterback or wide receiver, but make no mistake—this is a game-changer for Brent Venables and his program. When a program with the prestige of Oklahoma secures the nation’s top special teams talent, the ripple effects stretch far beyond the kicking tee. In locking down Kohl’s Kicking five-star specialist Trace Rudd, the Sooners haven’t just added a player—they’ve secured an advantage that could swing the tide in the biggest games of the coming seasons. Rudd’s commitment isn’t just about field goals and extra points—it’s about confidence, control, and championship-level execution in every phase of the game.
Rudd’s reputation precedes him. Regarded as one of the most technically sound and mentally disciplined kickers in the 2025 class, he’s earned the highest accolades from Kohl’s Kicking, widely considered the gold standard for special teams evaluations and development. Being rated a five-star by Kohl’s is not something that comes easily—it’s a mark of distinction reserved for the rare few who demonstrate elite potential under pressure, consistently performing in camp settings that mimic college-game conditions. From his pristine mechanics to his booming leg strength and cool demeanor, Trace Rudd is a prototype for the modern kicker. And now, he’s a Sooner.
In an era when college football games are increasingly decided by narrow margins, a reliable kicker can be the difference between playoff glory and postseason heartbreak. Brent Venables and his staff clearly understand that reality. Special teams can no longer be treated as an afterthought, especially in a conference and national landscape where every point counts. Trace Rudd’s commitment signifies Oklahoma’s renewed emphasis on all three phases of football—offense, defense, and special teams—and sends a clear message to the rest of the college football world: the Sooners are preparing to be elite in every department.
Trace Rudd’s kicking journey has been marked by relentless dedication, technical precision, and performance under pressure. From high school Friday nights under the lights to the intense scrutiny of national camps, he has proven over and over again that he thrives in high-stakes situations. Rudd has drilled 50+ yard field goals with room to spare and showed clutch consistency in pressure-packed environments. His hangtime on kickoffs, accuracy in tight angles, and ability to hit sky kicks, pooches, and directional punts make him a complete package.
For Oklahoma, landing Rudd is not just about raw talent—it’s about trust. In high-stakes games, a coaching staff needs to know that when they send out the kicker, the job will get done. Rudd’s mental toughness, preparation habits, and quiet confidence make him a perfect fit for that role. He doesn’t just kick footballs—he commands moments. The Sooners have had their share of strong special teams contributors in the past, but Rudd has the potential to be one of the most impactful to ever don the crimson and cream.
Beyond his on-field abilities, Rudd brings with him a competitive edge and work ethic that will raise the bar for everyone around him. Specialists often train in solitude, grinding behind the scenes while others bask in the spotlight. That’s where Rudd has sharpened his skills—on empty fields, in the early mornings, fine-tuning every detail of his craft. He’s a technician, a film junkie, and a master of repetition. That discipline will serve him well as he transitions to the collegiate level, where the speed of the game increases, and the pressure amplifies tenfold.
This commitment also marks another recruiting win for Brent Venables, who has been steadily building a roster that reflects his blue-collar, detail-oriented coaching philosophy. Venables knows that championship teams don’t just score points—they manage the game, win the field position battle, and make the most of every special teams opportunity. In Trace Rudd, he’s landed a player who embodies those principles. It’s not flashy. It’s not headline-grabbing. But it wins football games. Rudd gives the Sooners something most teams don’t have—a dependable specialist who can swing momentum, steal points, and tilt the outcome of tight contests.
In the modern landscape of college football, the ability to flip the field or come through in crunch time on special teams is more valuable than ever. Consider the margin between victory and defeat in recent playoff matchups—a missed extra point, a shanked punt, a failed field goal attempt. Oklahoma is preparing for the moment when everything is on the line. When the lights are brightest and the game hangs in the balance, Trace Rudd will be the one jogging onto the field, ready to deliver.
Rudd’s presence will also help instill confidence in the offensive playcalling. Coaches are more willing to make bold decisions when they trust the kicker to bail them out or secure three points. Fourth-and-medium in no-man’s-land? No problem. Just send out Trace. That changes how teams approach their playbook. It creates flexibility. It alleviates pressure on quarterbacks. It puts defenses on their heels, knowing every drive has the potential to end with points on the board.
What also makes this commitment so impactful is Rudd’s ceiling. He’s not merely a high school prodigy coasting on talent—he’s someone who is still getting better. With Oklahoma’s strength and conditioning program, access to elite coaching, and the rigor of Power Five competition, his growth curve is only beginning. By the time he steps onto the field at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Trace Rudd will be more than just college-ready—he’ll be battle-tested, polished, and primed to make an immediate impact.
The Sooners’ fanbase, known for its passion and high expectations, will soon learn that Rudd is more than a kicker—he’s a weapon. Whether it’s a cold November night or a pressure-packed moment in a conference championship game, they’ll be glad to see No. 97—or whatever number he chooses—taking the field with the game on the line. Special teams might not get the same love as touchdowns and interceptions, but they define the heartbeat of a program. Oklahoma’s heartbeat just got a lot stronger.
As the Sooners prepare for their new era in the SEC, where field position and physicality dominate, Rudd’s commitment becomes even more critical. SEC football is a war of attrition, and every inch matters. If Oklahoma wants to compete with the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and LSU, they’ll need to win on the margins—and few things provide a bigger margin for error than having a kicker who can change games with his leg. That’s what Trace Rudd brings. He’s not a luxury—he’s a necessity.
Recruiting services and media outlets may not always give kickers the spotlight they deserve, but inside the locker room, coaches and players know the truth: great kickers win games. Oklahoma just secured one of the best in the country. While others chase stars at skill positions, the Sooners quietly landed a player who might win them the most important game of the season. That’s the kind of move that smart programs make. That’s the kind of move champions make.
Oklahoma has long been associated with offensive firepower, defensive grit, and a legacy of legendary players. Trace Rudd now joins that lineage with the opportunity to leave his own unique mark on the program’s storied history. Kickers don’t always get the glory, but they’re the ones walking off the field with the game ball after last-second victories. Soon enough, Trace Rudd may be that player—an unassuming hero, a steady hand, a specialist who becomes a legend.
With his commitment now official, Trace Rudd’s journey as a Sooner begins in earnest. From summer workouts to fall camp and eventually Saturdays in front of 85,000 roaring fans, he’ll be called upon to do what he’s always done—step up when it matters most. The transition from high school to college is never easy, but Rudd is built differently. The Sooners didn’t just land a five-star kicker—they landed a cornerstone. And in today’s game, that’s more than enough to make a massive impact. Boomer Sooner just got a whole lot louder—and a whole lot more precise.
