As college football continues to expand its overlap with the NFL day by day, newer measures and strategies keep popping up. That happens to be the case with Oklahoma, which has recently brought in Jim Nagy as its GM. The GM title is relatively new in college football, but crucial nonetheless for roster construction. Nagy served in various scouting capacities with the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, and the Washington Redskins before joining OU. Now the question is: Under Brent Venables, is Jim Nagy’s CFB stint similar to that of how it was in the pro leagues?

Now, Nagy has been in the college football scene since 2018. He was the Executive Director of the Senior Bowl, which saw everything elite unfold in the most elite game. He is particularly known for his recruitment genius. It takes the pressure off of head coaches if they have someone assisting them. Nagy, in his first stint in the college football scenario, has already busied himself with the roster. He has experience of 18 years in that department, so Nagy knows what to do. However, he urges that hires like him be made more in number.

Jim Nagy told Mario Price of the American Football Coaches Asssociation, “I think that now that you’re moving to more of an NFL type model at the college level, with having a salary cap and, you know, these players getting paid, it lends itself to someone that’s been at that level and done that. So, you know, just from a big picture, I think all the coaches, you know, listening can understand like that, that’s a pretty uncomfortable place to be as a coach when you’re trying to negotiate with your players.” The conversation is definitely not an easy one, because players are taking drastic steps if their needs are not being met.

According to Jim Nagy, he’s just here to take some of the load from Venables’ shoulder. He noted that all of the NFL teams have a split responsibility model when it comes to coaches and GMs. In CFB, however, it’s a completely different reality. “134 out of 134 is doing it the other way,” he said, referring to the way HCs are still taking all the decisions of the team. However, with Nagy on board, Venables can heave a sigh of relief as he throws himself into the team effort, which is an extremely tough road up the hill for Oklahoma this year.

Brent Venables has to step it up this year, seriously

Brent Venables’ career is hanging by a thread. He will step into the season that will be the tipping point of it all. Coming back from a 6-7 record, Venables has already been locked in this year with an intensely difficult spring ball. However, he received a prediction that will get his gears kicking.

CFB analyst David Pollack didn’t seem very thrilled by Oklahoma’s schedule. “I think the problem is the schedule is not going to be fun. I mean, geez, I think this team could be really, really, really, really, really improved, really good, and win eight games.” However, despite success in the recruiting offices, Pollack mentions that the Sooners are still taking a hit.

The analyst noted some key defeats of theirs from last year. “They were two and six in SEC play last year. And I think the most discouraging part, probably for Oklahoma fans—you don’t mind losses—but losing to Texas by 31, like, that’s… that’s not good. You lost to South Carolina by 26. You lost to LSU by 20. Like, those are beatdowns. Those are embarrassing moments.” When you have a loss margin by a two-digit figure so huge, Venables has to take things seriously this season.

Now, with Jim Nagy on board, hopefully, some of the pressure will come off Brent Venables’ shoulders. We’ll have to wait and see how this NFL strategy plays out in the upcoming days.