As Oklahoma heads into the final stretch of the season with Alabama and LSU looming, the Sooners took full advantage of their bye week.
Instead of solely focusing on their upcoming opponents, they were hard at work, extending offers and hitting the recruiting trail with the urgency of a team on the rise. With high school football wrapping up and prospects narrowing their options, Oklahoma is positioning itself to make major waves in the recruiting world.
Rising Stars and New Offers
Jacob Eberhart
Oklahoma made a splash on Wednesday by offering 2026 3-star prospect Jacob Eberhart, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete from Kirkwood High School in Saint Louis. Eberhart’s recruitment is heating up, with Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas State, Wisconsin, and several other programs in the mix. Though still early in his recruitment, Eberhart is expected to play wide receiver at the next level and is currently ranked as the 102nd best wideout in his class by 247Sports.
Tristen Keys
The Sooners are locking in one of the most coveted wide receivers of the 2026 class in Tristen Keys, a 6-foot-2 standout from Hattiesburg High School in Mississippi. Ranked as the top receiver in the country by 247Sports, Keys is already a 5-star talent and has offers from top programs across the nation. With an offer from OU now on the table, the Sooners are in the mix for what could be one of the most explosive players in the next recruiting class.
Tavian Branch
Oklahoma is continuing to strengthen its future offensive line, and Tavian Branch, a 3-star interior offensive lineman from Riverside High School in Pennsylvania, is a key target. Branch, who stands 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, also holds offers from Penn State, Kentucky, West Virginia, and several others. The Sooners are making a strong push to add him to their already impressive offensive line pipeline.
Key Decisions Looming
As the high school season winds down, recruits are nearing the moment of truth. Tajh Overton, a 2026 defensive lineman from Owasso, Oklahoma, has narrowed his choices down to 11 schools, with Oklahoma among the top contenders. At 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, Overton has been a dominant force on the Rams’ defensive line, and with rankings as high as 3-star status across recruiting platforms, he is one of the most sought-after defensive players in the state.
A Change in Course: Jaden Nickens’ New Home
In a surprising move, former OU commit Jaden Nickens announced his decision to commit to Kansas on Thursday. Originally from Oklahoma, Nickens had been a 4-star receiver in the 2025 class before decommitting from Oklahoma earlier this year. Nickens, who is now at Sierra Canyon (CA), will also play basketball at the collegiate level alongside LeBron James’ son, Bryce James. While it’s a blow to OU, Nickens’ departure opens up opportunities for other prospects to step up.
Stability in 2025: Fasusi Stays Committed
Amid the uncertainty of a turbulent season, Michael Fasusi, the 5-star offensive tackle from the 2025 class, has delivered a much-needed boost of confidence to Sooner fans. Despite heavy interest from Texas and the distractions of a struggling season, Fasusi reaffirmed his commitment to Oklahoma with a clear message: “It’s Sooner for life, man.” His reassurance not only calms the nerves of OU fans but also sends a strong signal that the 2025 class remains intact — and Oklahoma’s recruiting future is still shining brightly.
As the Sooners continue to strengthen their 2025 and 2026 classes, the future looks incredibly bright, with a mix of high-profile commitments and solid offers on the table. Oklahoma is building something special — both on the field and in recruiting — and it’s clear the best is yet to come.
