The Oklahoma Sooners football team received a significant boost to their 2025 recruiting class on Tuesday with the commitment of standout defensive back Trystan Haynes from Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma.
Haynes, a versatile 6-foot-2, 175-pound athlete who also shines in track and field, is ranked as the No. 119 overall prospect and No. 12 cornerback in the 2025 class by 247Sports. He chose OU over offers from programs like Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M, Miami, and Notre Dame.
Adding Depth to a Talented Secondary
Haynes’ addition is a strategic move for the Sooners’ secondary, which already boasts a strong foundation. With Haynes on board, Oklahoma now has secured commitments from three cornerbacks in their 2025 class, all within the last four weeks.
Ideal Fit for Coach Venables’ System
This commitment is a major win Oklahoma coach Brent Venables, renowned for his defensive expertise. Haynes’ skillset aligns perfectly with Venables’ defensive philosophy. His size, speed, and length make him a valuable asset for contesting passes and covering receivers.
Haynes Eager to Contribute to Championship Aspirations
Haynes expresses his enthusiasm about joining the Sooners and his confidence in contributing to their championship goals.
“Coach Venables has Oklahoma going in the right direction and me and the other commitments are ready to show everyone that Oklahoma is one of those programs,” Haynes said. “With the recruits coming in, and the coaching staff under Coach Venables, we feel are ready to go compete for a national championship.” (Source: Sooners Wire)
What People Are Saying
- “Haynes, at cornerback, is a player with a natural feel of the game, diagnosing and identifying plays quickly,” said Rivals national recruiting analyst Marshall Levenson. “In the SEC, cornerbacks will need to crash down on the perimeter and defend the run, something Haynes has shown he is not only capable of, but willing [to do]. He is physical, can get off blocks, and puts his body in the action to bring down ball carriers. In the air, Haynes uses his length and superb ball skills to defend the pass. An added piece of Haynes’ addition is the potential in the return game. A monster in the return game for Carl Albert, Haynes returned four kickoffs and two punt returns for touchdowns in the past two seasons. In his junior season, he averaged 39.2 yards per kickoff return and 39.1 yards per punt return. Haynes is a major asset in the secondary, but a potential difference maker in the return game.” (Source: Rivals)
- “Staying home and playing for Oklahoma played into my recruitment throughout the whole process,” Haynes told On3. “To wear Oklahoma on my chest means the world. A lot of my family is Oklahoma fans, many of my friends follow the program, so to stay home means everything to me.” (Source: On3)
Haynes’ commitment is a significant win for the Sooners and is sure to energize their recruiting efforts moving forward. The Sooners’ 2025 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 4 overall by Rivals.
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