Brent Venables explains how he secured top Oklahoma prospect Gentry Williams

Despite Lincoln Riley’s departure from Oklahoma to USC, the Sooners were able to keep Gentry Williams’ commitment. On National Signing Day, Brent Venables opened up about how he kept the top recruit in the state in tow.

Williams, a four-star safety, is the No. 1 recruit in the state, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He committed in October when Riley was still the coach and stuck with the Sooners through the transition.

Venables said he wasn’t worried Williams would be a Sooner next year.

“Gentry and his family have just been wonderful from the get-go,” Venables said. “Like any transition … they have some questions. There’s some apprehension and what not. But from the get-go, he let his allegiance be known. In my opinion, we had to go out of our way to screw it up. He just wanted to meet everybody. He wanted to hear the vision for what we had for him both defensively, relationally, who we’re going to hire as his position coach. I was able to give him a little bit of insight, but until he had a chance to be able to meet Jay [Valai], I think that was the final piece.

“Never at any time did i feel that we were close to losing his commitment. I think that his allegiance and his loyalty to the University of Oklahoma were known virtually the whole time. … This is where he’s always wanted to be, and I think Jay was the final piece, as well as meeting Coach Roof and the rest of the defensive staff. But the whole experience has been wonderful. He’s been one of the easiest guys to recruit that I’ve recruited.”

Brent Venables on how he plans to use Gentry Williams

Venables also explained what role he envisions for Williams in his defense. He pointed to his versatility and playing multiple positions in high school and how valuable that is as he rounds things out.

However, Oklahoma needs a cornerback, and Williams could get looks at that position.

“I liked how they used him there at Booker T.,” Venables said. “They did a great job of using him a variety of ways. Everywhere from putting him in the corner to putting him in the box at safety to blitzing him, played some linebacker. He did a little bit of everything. … Just a terrific all-around player. [He’s] got a great skill set.

“But the best part of Gentry is just the type of young man he is. He’s got character, he’s a leader, tremendous work ethic, he’s a grinder, he loves preparation. He’s going to be a great teammate. Very selfless guy.