Oklahoma Sooners 2026 recruiting class could see major shakeup at their most important position and push away longtime commit
The Oklahoma Sooners have begun building momentum towards a strong 2026 recruiting class after their 2025 class dipped below their usual expectations. However, with two new coordinators in Norman this season, recruiting ties, positional value, and traits change from coach to coach. One of those shifts is seemingly happening right away with new offensive coordinator […]
The Oklahoma Sooners have begun building momentum towards a strong 2026 recruiting class after their 2025 class dipped below their usual expectations.
However, with two new coordinators in Norman this season, recruiting ties, positional value, and traits change from coach to coach. One of those shifts is seemingly happening right away with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who is in hot pursuit of a new signal-caller to take over the reins from John Mateer in the future.
That move could happen sooner (pun intended) than expected. According to On3's Steve Wiltfong, the Sooners are the team to beat for four-star quarterback out of Texas Bowe Bentley. Bentley, a consensus four-star prospect, is a fast-rising prospect thanks to an elite junior season. On his way to winning a Texas state championship, Bentley threw for 3,330 yards passing and 47 touchdowns, completing 70 percent of his throws. He added another 933 yards rushing and 16 more touchdowns on the ground as well.
LSU, Florida State, Missouri, and Ohio State are heavily recruiting the talented dual-threat quarterback, but the Sooners are out in front after Bentley's most recent visit.
"I believe the Sooners are the program to beat for Celina (Texas) High four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley. Bentley is also considering LSU, Florida State, Missouri and Texas Tech but Oklahoma appears to have the momentum coming into the spring."
However, a commitment from Bentley could mean Oklahoma would lose out on one of its most prized commitments. Four-star California quarterback Jaden O'Neal has remained committed to the Sooners for the last year and stuck with the Sooners despite Oklahoma firing his primary recruiter, Seth Littrell, and going through their worst offensive season in a decade.
It seems unlikely that the Sooners could land both in the same class, especially with O'Neal being pursued by the Georgia Bulldogs.
Oklahoma will have to choose between loyalty or getting "their guy" at the most important position on the field. However, it does seem like they have already made that decision with their heavy pursuit of Bowe Bentley.
This will be a recruiting battle worth monitoring as the season goes on. If Ben Arbuckle's offense clicks as well as I believe it will, Bentley could be a big-time playmaker who could rally other players to Oklahoma down the line.
