Oklahoma Sooners continue to outrecruit SEC foe in their own state after 2026 commit
The Oklahoma Sooners are starting to really find their footing with their recruiting in the 2026 class. Their offense needs the most work, and that's where they have committed the most so far, but now, they have their second defensive commitment in the class. Last year, the Sooners had one of the best defenses in […]
The Oklahoma Sooners are starting to really find their footing with their recruiting in the 2026 class. Their offense needs the most work, and that's where they have committed the most so far, but now, they have their second defensive commitment in the class.
Last year, the Sooners had one of the best defenses in the entire country, and they could have an even better one in 2025. But they have to continue to keep the defenses loaded and ready when it's the next man up.
They're doing that with their recruiting.
Oklahoma Sooners land 2026 LB Jakore Smith
Jakore Smith, a four-star linebacker from Bryant, Arkansas, is a top prospect in the 2026 recruiting class. Standing 6'1", Smith is fast, physical, and versatile. Ranked No. 9 linebacker nationally by 247Sports and No. 4 player in Arkansas by On3, he picked Oklahoma over schools like Arkansas, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida State, and Oregon.
His commitment makes him the sixth pledge in Oklahoma’s 2026 class and the second defensive player, alongside three-star safety Niko Jandreau from Arizona, who just committed earlier this week.
Smith is an athletic linebacker with strong instincts, and because of his size and versatility, would be the perfect fit Oklahoma’s “cheetah." Smith really bonded with new linebackers coach Nate Dreiling during recent visits, which very well could have been the biggets reason the Sooners were able to land him.
“Coach Dreiling… I love his energy. [That’s the] type of coach I want to play for," Smith recently said.
Smith is Oklahoma’s highest-rated 2026 commit so far and a big win for Dreiling, who landed his first linebacker recruit. His commitment strengthens Oklahoma’s recruiting in Arkansas, following defensive signees Marcus Wimberly and Omarion Robinson in 2025. It's starting to feel like they are outrecruiting SEC foe Arkansas in their own state.
At the next level, if Smith wants to be a big-time production player, he will have to put on some weight, though. He's not the biggest dude, but players usually start putting on some muscle and size when they get to the college level.
2026 4-star running back committed to Oklahoma Sooners just got a very enticing offer from SEC foe
That would be a crazy flip.
