Oklahoma Sooners are coming into the SEC with history showing they deserved to be there

Conference realignment is officially here, which means that the Oklahoma Sooners are officially in the SEC now, and they have already celebrated like it. They held a giant party at midnight around campus, and of course, had billboards across the country like in New York City.

A lot of people think the Sooners don't deserve to be in the SEC. Never mind geographically, as that went out of the door with conference realignment a long time ago. Now it's about who are the most dominant schools along with profitability. The Sooners fit that mold, whether people want to believe it or not.

When you really dive deep into the history of the Sooners, they are one of the most dominant schools of all time when it comes to football. Their history alone proves they have what it takes to play in the SEC.

When you look at the All-time weeks that the Sooners have been at AP. No. 1 in football, they are right there under Alabama, who has 140. Oklahoma has 101, which is 50 more than Georgia at No. 3. There is only one of the schools in the SEC that has been ranked No. 1 over the Sooners more, and that's Alabama, the most prestigious football program ever.

Another thing to take into account is how many players the Sooners get drafted compared to the other teams and schools. The Sooners have 417 all-time NFL draft picks, which is the most in the SEC.

Yes, even more than Alabama. The Sooners have consistently been able to put high-level talent on the field and get those guys to the big leagues, which is really what it's about in terms of reaching those kids' dreams.

Now, the Sooners may not have won a championship as recently as some of the other schools have in the SEC, or even won a playoff game. But, that doesn't mean they don't deserve to be in the SEC. If you let history tell the story, it's very clear.

Recruiting is already going well for the Sooners as an SEC team. They have stolen players from other bigtime schools, but they have also lost some to big time schools like their rivals in the Texas Longhorns. But, that's part of being in the SEC, you're not going to win them all. They are already doing everything right in the SEC, though.

For more Sooners news, opinion, and more:

• Oklahoma Sooners lose elite defensive recruit to one of their biggest rivals
• Oklahoma Sooners take their big transition to the SEC national with a huge billboard in NYC
• Oklahoma starter is helping start a new SEC rivalry by arguing with one star quarterback on social media
• Brent Venables and Oklahoma Sooners recruiting gaining momentum as college football season approaches

Related: Oklahoma senator throws major shade at former Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley