In a move that has stunned the college football recruiting world — and has plenty of fans up in arms — interior offensive lineman Noah Best, a coveted 4-star (or near that) prospect out of Midlothian, Texas, has announced his commitment to Oklahoma. The decision comes as a blow to powerhouse programs like Texas, Michigan and Texas A&M, all of which were believed to be in the final chase. (247Sports)
The Upset of the Recruiting Season
Best’s decision is causing shockwaves. For years, the general recruiting narrative has been: the elite lineman from Texas either stays in-state (Texas/ Texas A&M) or heads to a juggernaut like Michigan. But here’s the twist: Best opts for Oklahoma, not just as a safe backup, but seemingly as the premier choice. According to his profile, he’s listed as 6-4/290 and was ranked highly among interior offensive linemen in the 2026 class. (247Sports)
Why This Decision Raises Eyebrows
- State Pride vs. Out-of-State Commitment: Staying in Texas might have been expected. Opting for Oklahoma suggests something deeper — maybe the Sooners sold a vision no one else could match. Or maybe Best is betting on early playing time and exposure.
- Program Perception: For programs like Michigan and Texas A&M, missing out on a high profile lineman is a hit to their recruiting stadium-buzz. Some fans will view this as a “how did we lose this one?” moment.
- Recruiting Ratings & Reality: While some outlets classify Best as a four-star and top-tier lineman, other sources list him a little lower (three-star in one article) which stirs debate about his projection and whether OU is “getting a steal” or whether others mis-evaluated.
What This Means for Oklahoma & Others
For Oklahoma: This is a major win. Landing a lineman of Best’s caliber bolsters their 2026 class and sends a message: We’re still a threat in the trenches. For the others (Texas, Michigan, Texas A&M): It’s a wake-up. Did they mis-pitch? Did they overlook something? Did OU simply out-work them?
Hot Takes & Controversy
- Is the rating hype or real? Some recruiting blogs already claim Best isn’t quite as strong as the “4-star” label suggests — which means OU might be celebrated for a genius flip or criticized for over-rating.
- Early starters vs. legacy brands: Was Best influenced by playing time opportunity more than brand name? If so, it raises questions about how much “brand” still matters in elite recruiting.
- Texas schools’ recruiting strategy may need overhaul: Losing a top lineman from their backyard suggests they might be vulnerable even in what should be “home turf” dominance.
Final Word
Noah Best’s commitment to Oklahoma isn’t just a recruiting footnote — it’s a statement. Whether you view it as a steal, a missed opportunity or a shrewd move, one thing is certain: Expect a lot of commentary, pushback, hype — and maybe regret from the schools that lost him.
What do you think?
Was this move brilliant or surprising? Is Best overrated, underrated or exactly as billed? And for Texas/Michigan/TA&M fans: do you blame your program or chalk this up to recruiting randomness? Drop your thoughts and let’s debate.
