Oklahoma's 2026 recruiting class is shaping up to be a strong one, with the addition of three-star safety Markel Ford, who has flipped his commitment from SMU to Oklahoma. Ford, a Lancaster, Texas, native, was initially pledged to the Mustangs on April 25, but a recent official visit to Norman changed his mind. He's now the No. 814 overall prospect and No. 78 safety in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, and the No. 112 recruit in Texas. The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back has been in constant communication with the OU staff and returned to campus to witness their victory over Mizzou. This commitment comes as no surprise, given the Arrows' consistent direction towards the SEC program. With National Signing Day approaching, Ford's decision solidifies Oklahoma's hold on him. This is the latest in a series of flips for the Sooners, who also re-added four-star running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. away from Texas A&M on Monday. Oklahoma is actively pursuing a top-15 class, including four-star wide receiver and Wisconsin commit Jayden Petit, among others. But it's not just about the defensive side of the ball. Oklahoma's offensive commits are also impressive, with the highest-ranked prospect in the class being IMG Academy (Fla.) four-star EDGE Jake Kreul, who chose the Sooners on August 12. Celina, Texas, four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley, one of nine June commitments, has seen his stock rise as a senior, now ranked No. 70 and No. 6 QB in the cycle. Bentley, Kreul, and Hatton form a powerful trio at the top of the class. The offensive line is also well-represented, with four-star Deacon Schmitt from Windsor, Colorado, and three-star IOL Noah Best from Midlothian, Texas, as the only listed O-linemen so far. Oklahoma's 2026 class is a testament to their strong recruiting efforts, and fans can explore the entire list of commits on the provided link.
