OU football lands commitment from Jaden Nickens, Millwood WR, for 2025 recruiting class

nick sardis, the oklahoman

Sat, Aug 12, 2023, 11:49 PM·3 min read

It didn’t take long for Jaden Nickens to receive a Division-I football offer.

Nickens headed into spring ball during his freshman year at Millwood without having played football since sixth grade.

But in Nickens’ first practice back in the sport, his potential at wide receiver was glaring.

His size. His speed. His leaping ability.

Nickens clearly had all the tools, and North Texas offered him on the spot on that day.

Nickens’ recruitment only grew from there as he picked up offers from colleges around the country.

But on Saturday, he announced he’s staying close to home.

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Millwood star Jaden Nickens commits to the #Sooners. Nickens is a four-star prospect, according to 247Sports. #OKPreps pic.twitter.com/4k0Mhdt0lz
— Nick Sardis (@nick_sardis) August 12, 2023

Nickens, a four-star prospect according to 247Sports and a member of the 2025 class, announced his commitment to OU.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder told everyone his decision at an event center in Oklahoma City, surrounded by family, friends and Millwood teammates. Even new Carl Albert quarterback and OU commit Kevin Sperry was there.

OU is special to Nickens, and he was ready to shut down his recruitment despite being just a junior.

“Committing now is really my choice,” Nickens said. “There’s no reason why. God told me to do it, so I did it. I prayed about it a lot. He told me that’s what he wanted me (to do). I told myself that’s where I wanted myself to be at.”

Nickens had narrowed his choice to eight schools — the Sooners, Arkansas, North Texas, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, the University of Texas at San Antonio and UNLV.

But OU was always the school he was interested in when he was growing up.

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Jaden Nickens catches a pass between defenders Dylan Burks and JT Keeler and runs to the end zone for a tying score during the first half of the Class 2A State quarterfinals football game between the Millwood Falcons and the Sequoyah Claremore Eagles on Nov. 25, 2022 in Harrah, Okla.

And after developing a great relationship with OU receivers coach Emmett Jones, the decision was easy for Nickens, who’s also a standout basketball player and has helped the Falcons win state titles in both of his years in high school.

“Playing in front of the whole state of Oklahoma and then playing for the east side community really means a lot,” Nickens said. “Millwood has some guys that went to OU — Marcus Major and stuff like that. So Oklahoma is always in the loop no matter what. … I’ve been seeing OU all my life. I’ve always been a Sooner since I was a kid.”

Nickens helped the Millwood football program reach the Class 2A finals last year. The Falcons had a classic battle with Washington in the title game, losing 17-14.

Nickens showed his potential throughout the season and is the nation’s 88th-ranked prospect in his class, according to 247Sports.

He’s ready to see what more he can do at Millwood, both on the football field and the basketball court.

“I’m gonna go get another (basketball) ring and another one,” Nickens said. “Get one for football, too. Man, just being a kid and being happy, getting the commitment out of the way and able to enjoy high school, enjoy the rest. I’m ready to start the season with my guys. Ready to just focus on the main thing — that gold ball.”

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