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OU coach Brent Venables’ ‘simple gesture’ impresses Nick Evers' mom

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by: Keegan Pope12/13/21bykeeganpope

New Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables talked extensively in his introductory press conference about how much relationships mean to him.

“I value some things that maybe other people don’t, maybe more so,” Venables said. “I value relationships. And I value people. I value quality of life. And I value simplicity. Just because you become the head coach doesn’t mean you can’t keep things simple.”

That approach appears to paying early dividends.

The Sooners landed four-star Flower Mound (Texas) quarterback Nick Evers Monday morning after offering him less than a week ago.

The two sides had no real prior relationship.

But Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby moved quickly to get on campus for an official visit. And while Ole Miss and Notre Dame tried to get him on their own campuses before the recruiting dead period began last night at midnight, the Sooners locked in their quarterback.

In no small part because of relationships. Evers’ mom, Monica Evers, tweeted a photo later Monday morning of Venables with her daughter on Nick’s visit.

“Baby girl’s had a lot of football in her 8 years,” Monica Evers wrote.” She’s ‘over it’ and was off to the side with my phone. He broke from the commotion for our little girl to feel included. It’s a simple gesture but impactful. People and relationships!”

Nick Evers is a major land for Venables

Nick Evers was fresh off a decommitment from Florida, a school he had been solidly committed to for nine months, when the Sooners offered him last Wednesday. According to GatorsOnline, the Evers family was unsure of the Florida program’s direction under new coach Billy Napier and wanted to look around. After Nick’s whirlwind courtship, commitment and one of his parents gushing about Venables, it’s safe to say they don’t have those concerns in Norman.

Now, the focus turns to keeping the rest of their commitments in the fold and maybe landing a few surprises on National Signing Day. A number of OU commits have already reaffirmed their pledges, including four-stars Gavin Sawchuk, Jake Taylor and Kaden Helms. Elite cornerback Gentry Williams is also still committed, but recently took a visit to Arkansas. Keeping him would be massive. And after losing four-star wide receiver Raleek Brown to Lincoln Riley and USC, the Sooners look to be the odds-on favorite to land ex-Florida commit Jayden Gibson. Should they land him and four-star running back Jovontae Barnes, Venables will have delivered a master class in keeping a recruiting class together.