OU Sooners News: Head Coach Brent Venables Withdraws QB Jett Niu and Three Other Freshmen

Norman, OK — September 23, 2025
In a surprising shake-up of Oklahoma’s 2025 roster, head coach Brent Venables has reportedly withdrawn freshman quarterback Jett Niu and three other freshmen players from the football program, sources close to the team said Tuesday.

The move comes just weeks before the Sooners open Big 12 conference play, raising questions about internal evaluations and the coaching staff’s long-term vision for the team’s roster.

A Sudden Change in Direction

Jett Niu, a three-star prospect out of Lehi, Utah, flipped his commitment from Oklahoma State to Oklahoma late in the 2025 recruiting cycle. The promising freshman was expected to compete for developmental reps this fall, with hopes of becoming a future contributor under offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s high-powered system.

The decision to withdraw Niu, alongside three unnamed freshmen, signals a sudden shift in the program’s direction. OU has not officially released a statement detailing the reasoning behind the move.

“We’re constantly evaluating the roster and making decisions that we believe are in the best interest of our team’s future,” a source within the athletic department said on background. “This wasn’t an easy decision.”

Possible Reasons Behind the Withdrawal

While no official reason has been provided, speculation around the program points to a few potential contributing factors:

• Depth Chart Reassessment: With redshirt freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. earning strong reviews and potential transfer additions being considered, the quarterback room may have grown too crowded.
• Cultural Fit and Expectations: Venables has repeatedly emphasized culture, accountability, and mental readiness. Sources say some of the freshmen “struggled to align” with those standards.
• Academic or Compliance Issues: Though not confirmed, sudden roster changes sometimes stem from academic ineligibility or internal compliance reviews.

Impact on the Roster

The departure of Niu and the other freshmen leaves a noticeable gap in Oklahoma’s 2025 depth chart, particularly at quarterback, where the team already faces limited scholarship numbers.

Coach Venables has previously acknowledged concerns about the QB room.

“We can’t go into the season with just two scholarship quarterbacks,” Venables said during spring camp. “We’ve got to build depth, develop young guys, and be ready for anything.”

Now, with Niu reportedly gone, the urgency to add reinforcements—either through late recruiting additions or the transfer portal—may grow even more intense.

What’s Next?

As of now, no formal transfer announcements have been made by Niu or the other affected players. NCAA rules would allow the athletes to re-enter the portal or seek eligibility elsewhere if formally released from their scholarships.

Oklahoma fans will be watching closely to see how the staff responds. With high expectations for the 2025 season, the Sooners can’t afford missteps in roster management—especially at key positions like quarterback.

Editor’s Note: This story is developing. The University of Oklahoma has not yet released an official statement confirming the withdrawals. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.

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