OU’s new position coach just landed his first verbal commitment, and it’s a player who could shock everyone by how good he is
The Oklahoma Sooners made yet another addition to their 2027 recruiting class, this time a running back.
The Oklahoma Sooners just checked another need off their 2027 recruiting class checklist. They now have their second running back in the class, as three-star RB Jakoby Dixon committed on Sunday. This was also Deland McCullough’s first verbal commitment as the new running backs coach.
They had two RBs in the last class and now have two, with Keldrid Ben as the other. They will need at least two in the class, as this position group usually makes the most of its depth. Last year, they went with a four-star in Hatton and then a three-star in Walker. He’s a top-500 player in the country and the No. 44 player at his position in his class. Dixon is also a top 75 player in the state of Texas.
Dixon isn’t rated as highly as many would have liked, but he’s got the tools and traits to become a great running back. He has a patience about him when he’s being handed the ball, waiting for a gap to burst open so he can hit it in full stride. He’s got great breakaway speed and good size at the position to take on bad-arm tackles at the second and third levels. Dixon can be great under the Sooners’ development.
Sooners’ first RB committed in 2027, Keldrid Ben, is still taking visits
Turning to Keldrid Ben, his long-standing commitment has set a stable foundation for this class. OU’s staff remains enthusiastic about Ben, and he continues to express a strong interest, though his engagement with other programs has attracted outside attention. It’s not ideal, but in this day and age, taking more visits after committing is part of the process.
“[Things have] been great. God has been blessing me in many ways. [I’m just trying to keep my head on my shoulders, keep my head straight, maintain my grades, and just work,” Ben told Sooner Scoop. “[The visits] are just me taking another look at a school. I don’t see it as me decommitting or anything like that.
“I see it as me exploring other schools and taking those visits because I only get one chance. Just let them know what’s going on. No lies, no nothing. Just a man-to-man conversation. They tell me how they feel about it, and I just have to accept it. I know where my home is at the end of the day.”
Despite Ben’s ongoing recruitment process, the Sooners remain confident they can retain him. With Dixon’s recent commitment, the program is on track to secure both of its top RB targets for this class.