Oklahoma Sooners underrated freshman already drawing rave reviews, eyes major goal for Sooners’ career
Kristan Moore was an unheralded recruit, but has big dreams for the Sooners.
The Oklahoma Sooners completely rebuilt their 2026 recruiting class from the ground up, originally starting with just one recruit in February before finishing with the 15th-ranked class in the country by the end of the cycle. The Sooners and general manager Jim Nagy stuck to their guts and took some upside swings for 2026 and defied recruiting rankings, a move that drew some ire from Oklahoma fans.
However, one of those upside swings was three-star linebacker Kristan Moore, an unheralded linebacker out of Alabama who was previously committed to Northern Alabama. Moore has already made an early impression with the team, and has his sights set on a major goal.
Three-star to household name?
Not much was known about Kristan Moore before he joined the Sooners. He originally caught Oklahoma’s eye at camp over the spring, and the Sooners’ staff stayed in touch with him all year long before offering him late in November. Moore signed less than a week later.
The Selma, Alabama product has taken to Oklahoma like a fish to water, and already has the eye of plenty of fans and teammates. Moore looks every bit the 220-pound thumper he was billed to be, with even more room to grow on his frame. With his physicality, instincts, and range, Moore is a bit of throwback linebacker, but you can see the building blocks of an impactful player right away.
Kristan Moore a culture foundation for the Sooners
Perhaps the most encouraging part of Moore’s game, however, is how much of a reflection of Brent Venables’ culture turnaround at Oklahoma Moore serves. In an article for Sooner Scoop, Moore laid out his expectations for himself and the type of player he wants to be.
“Really just showing the coaches that they are getting a dog again and that it is going to be very, very hard to deny me. I want to come in and learn as an SEC linebacker. I don’t mind starting on special teams. I know a lot of great linebackers start from there, I want to build from that through the season. I hope to have an opportunity to showcase on the field. That’s something I’m really excited about…I will try my best to be a captain of the team, be the kind of guy that if you have any questions – ask me. I want my teammates to be on top of the stuff just like I am. You’re getting a fun teammate who is going to lay it all on the line for you if you’re doing the same.”
Moore immediately volunteering to play on special teams and then following that up with “I want to be a captain of the team” instead of the usual “I’m here to help Oklahoma win a title” is pretty rare for a player fresh out of high school, but it’s the exact attitude the Sooners and Venables have targeted.
Everyone I’ve spoken to around the program loves how much Moore has bought in to Oklahoma, and I’ve been told he’s already impressed with his coachability. Spring training is right around the corner, and there’s still a lot of football left before we even begin to think about the 2026 season, but Moore is talking the talk and walking the walk.
Keep an eye on him over the next few months. He wouldn’t be the first freshman defender to come in and surprise many.
Oklahoma Sooners News
Oklahoma Sooners on verge of dunking on the rest of the SEC with something they haven’t accomplished in years
The Sooners could achieve something they haven’t accomplished in years if recruiting predictions hold true.
