BREAKING: Elite Five-Star Safety Drops USC, Flips to Brent Venables and Oklahoma Sooners
In a stunning recruiting coup that reverberated through the college football world, five-star safety Jonah Blake has decommitted from the USC Trojans and announced his commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners. The announcement, made via a social media video on Thursday afternoon, delivers a signature recruiting victory for head coach Brent Venables and marks a pivotal moment for Oklahoma as they prepare for their inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference.
Blake, a 6’2″, 195-pound defensive back from Bellflower, California, is universally ranked as a top-15 national prospect and the No. 1 safety in the class of 2025. His flip is a direct hit to a key rival, as Oklahoma successfully poaches a cornerstone talent from Lincoln Riley’s roster build at USC, adding a layer of narrative intensity to the move.
“For me and my family, this decision came down to development, culture, and preparation for the next level,” Blake stated in his announcement video. “My relationship with Coach Venables and Coach [Brandon] Hall [safeties coach] is different. They have a proven plan for defensive backs and a vision for me that I believe in. Playing in the SEC, against the best competition every week, is the challenge I want. Oklahoma feels like home.”
This commitment is a massive validation of Brent Venables’ defensive reputation and relentless recruiting approach. Despite being geographically distant from Blake’s home in Southern California, Oklahoma’s staff made the prospect a relentless priority, selling him on the opportunity to be the defensive centerpiece of the Sooners’ transition into America’s toughest conference. The flip underscores that Venables’ brand of intense, detail-oriented defense remains a powerful draw for elite defensive talent nationwide.
For USC, the loss is a significant setback. Securing and retaining top-tier defensive players has been a challenge, and losing a player of Blake’s caliber from their own backyard to a program entering the SEC is a tough blow. It highlights the fiercely competitive and often unpredictable nature of modern recruiting, where longstanding commitments can shift until the pen hits the paper.
On the field, Jonah Blake is a game-changer. Scouts laud his rare blend of size, fluid athleticism, and elite football IQ. He possesses the range to patrol the deep middle and the physicality to excel in the box, making him a perfect fit for Venables’ multiple-scheme defense. He is projected as an immediate contender for playing time who could anchor Oklahoma’s secondary for years to come.
“This is exactly the kind of statement Oklahoma needed to make heading into the SEC,” said national recruiting director Mike Farrell. “You beat Lincoln Riley for a California five-star, you get a defensive leader, and you show the entire country that you’re not just entering the SEC—you’re coming to compete at the very top. This is a home run for Venables.”
Blake’s commitment instantly boosts Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class into the nation’s top ten and provides a jolt of momentum on the trail. It signals to other elite prospects that Norman is a destination for defensive stars aiming to prove themselves on the biggest stage. As the Sooners prepare for their new conference reality, landing a defender of Jonah Blake’s caliber is not just a win; it’s a declaration of intent.
