Now, Thompson is back — back where he was a high school football star at Southmoore and Newcastle, back where his brother Kendal played three seasons for the Sooners and graduated from OU, back where his dad Charlesbecame first famous and then infamous as Barry Switzer’s last wishbone quarterback.

It was probably the easiest recruiting experience Venables and Littrell will ever have.

“It didn’t really take too much to convince me to come back home,” Thompson said. “Obviously I know the importance of OU football living in Oklahoma. … It was a real easy process. I grew up here, so no one has to sell me on the OU brand. No one has to sell me on the importance of Oklahoma football or what it means to this community and this fan base.”