Oklahoma holds 'significant lead' for nation's No. 2 player in 2028

While the Oklahoma Sooners are preparing for the 2026 football season on the field, the staff is also preparing for the future off the field. Oklahoma has just a few more months to put the final touches on an impressive 2027 recruiting class under head coach Brent Venables and general manager Jim Nagy.

However, the group is already making a run at some top prospects in the 2028 recruiting class. One of those players is five-star and No. 2-ranked player in the country, defensive lineman Kellan Hall. The Louisville native is massive, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 275 pounds. He has an impressive list of offers from teams like the Ohio State Buckeyes, Notre Dame Fighting Irish , Alabama Crimson Tide , the Georgia Bulldogs and Indiana Hoosiers , to name a few.

There is still a long way to go, but Hall would be a major get for Venables and co. His defenses are known for having some of the most halacious defensive lines in college football. It's a big reason their defenses are so dominant. While others will continue to try to persuade the talented 2028 prospect, Rivals' Sam Spiegelman believes the Sooners have the early lead.

"Kellen Hall, I think he's a number (two) player in the country," Spiegelman said. "Absolute blue chipper… Oklahoma, I think, has carved out a pretty significant early lead, but it's very early in the process for Hall. For Hall, I think (Texas) A&M is another strong contender; Ohio State, other programs across the country are going to be in the mix for Kellan Hall."

Oklahoma still has plenty of work to do before Hall's recruitment reaches its conclusion. With programs such as Texas A&M and Ohio State expected to remain heavily involved, the Sooners cannot afford to get comfortable with an early lead.

Still, establishing that advantage this early is significant. Hall has the size, athleticism and recruiting pedigree to become a cornerstone piece of a future Oklahoma defense, and Venables has a strong track record of developing elite defensive linemen.

If the Sooners can maintain their position with Hall throughout the next two years, they could have a legitimate chance to land one of the best defensive prospects in the 2028 class. For a program that wants to remain among the SEC's defensive powers, adding a player of Hall's caliber would be another major step in that direction.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma holds 'significant lead' for nation's No. 2 player in 2028

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