Oklahoma is looking to improve their defense in the Class of 2019. That effort received a boost Wednesday morning with the announcement of California defensive back Jeremiah Criddell making his decision to join the Sooners. The four-star player will already be warmly welcomed by his new Oklahoma family while Big 12 refs watching the live coverage were probably reaching for their penalty flags. As Criddell announced his decision live on ESPN 2, Criddell threw a “horns down” hand gesture, mocking the signature sign flashed by Texas Longhorns players and fans.
Prior to Oklahoma’s rematch with Texas in the Big 12 championship game, which ended up sending the Sooners into the College Football Playoff, the Big 12 made it clear any Oklahoma player flashing a “horns down” sign would be flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Big 12 had previously reprimanded a Texas player for saying “OU sucks” as well as the conference looked to take some of the vitriol out of the conference’s premier rivalry.
But as we see by this commitment announcement, this rivalry is not losing its edge with the new class coming into the fun.
Criddell is a four-star safety according to his Rivals profile. Criddell chose Oklahoma over Oregon.