NORMAN — Recruiting at OU is undergoing another shift.
The program announced Thursday a partnership with former Philadelphia Eagles vice president of football administration Jake Rosenberg. The Sooners also made the news of Curtis Lofton’s promotion to general manager, which was approved by OU’s Board of Regents in June, official.
The new structure “is designed to place OU football at the forefront of talent analysis, acquisition and retention,” according to a release, while Rosenberg will also “provide counsel and support to its program.”
As college athletics evolves daily, more programs are adapting their recruiting and administrative staffs. Rosenberg was considered one of Eagles general manager Howie Roseman’s closest advisors during his time in Philadelphia.
The Sooners announced June 24 that 1Oklahoma will now be the program’s exclusive market-based NIL collective, with Jeff Weber as CEO, combining the Crimson and Cream collective, The Sooner Nation Collective and 1 Oklahoma Collective.
Here’s what Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione, head coach Brent Venables and more voices from around the industry had to say about OU’s partnership with Rosenberg:
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“We’re incredibly excited for this new set-up. The instability we’ve seen in college athletics the past few years has presented both responsibilities and opportunities for us to refine our focus on how we evaluate, attract and keep talented athletes. With this move, we’re innovating at a time that demands it and in doing so, we’re demonstrating Oklahoma’s commitment to a championship culture.
“We knew this shift would require a heavy lift to get us going, which is why we turned to an expert with Super Bowl-winning NFL experience,” said Castiglione. “Jake knows what it takes to build a championship team, and his reputation for developing cohesive programs and teams will serve us well as we modify our approach to meet the moment.
“In today’s landscape, we know building teams and recruiting athletes requires more innovative thinking and focused leadership. What we have in this new structure and our partnership with Jake is a path forward to position OU Football – and eventually, the rest of our programs – for success in the new world.”
“We’re seeing things we’ve never seen before in the recruiting process. At Oklahoma we know how to adapt, and this new approach to how we manage our recruiting operations is a representation of our forward thinking and agility. Winning takes all of us and I’m confident in Curtis and the rest of our staff and their commitment to continuing to elevate Oklahoma Football.”
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“Talent management in college football differs significantly from the NFL. In our realm, we recruit athletes rather than draft them, giving our players a broader spectrum of choices than ever before. Despite these differences, there are aspects of the professional model that could enhance our recruitment strategies, particularly as we navigate the complexities of roster sizes and other evolving variables. Our objective is to remain agile, and this structure is designed to enable precisely that.”
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“Oklahoma football is a blue blood, with more than a century of producing winning teams. This bold move demonstrates the program’s creative drive as much as its strong tradition. I see the same relentless pursuit of winning throughout the Sooners’ program that we fostered within the Eagles organization. Their attention to talent management at a moment of great change and uncertainty in college football is both critical and laser focused on the future. I’m excited to be part of this evolution.
“This partnership represents a dynamic opportunity to lead the way in collegiate sports. I am very excited to join this team and help craft that future starting right now.”
“Jake is someone who has the ability to help OU in a variety of ways. He can relate well to everyone and will be great in this role. He will be able to draw from the diverse experience he had in Philadelphia and help that program move forward and be as progressive as they want to be.”
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“During these past four years in Philadelphia, I’ve gotten to know Jake on a professional and personal level, and he’s helped play an integral role in my development as a professional athlete. College players who attend programs that are built similarly to professional teams tend to have a more seamless transition to the next level, and I believe Jake’s new role at OU will be a huge benefit for players who look to take their careers a step further. He’s the perfect fit for this program and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
“Jake is an exceptional professional and one of the brightest minds in football today. I’ve always found him to be incredibly insightful and measured when working together on player contracts. He’s negotiated some of the largest NFL deals to date, and there are few in the industry who understand roster and cap management like he does. Oklahoma is truly on the cutting-edge in bringing Jake alongside their program to pave the way for the future of college football.”
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