The Sooners have just three uncommitted targets left on their board in the 2025 cycle, and we've got the latest intel on that trio right here. But as the focus begins to shift from 2025, it's time to take a shot at an initial projection of the Sooners' 2026 recruiting class. Although it's quite early, the Sooners already have three verbal pledges on board in '26, and could be poised to add another handful or so this fall.

As I mention every year in my first mock class, I don't reasonably expect a hit rate of more than 50-60 percent here. Brandon and I have a good idea as to which players the Sooners are targeting heavily at this time, and which players have reciprocated the love from the OU staff. I'm putting each one of these players into my initial prediction because I have sincere reason to believe right now that they'll end up at Oklahoma. There are no pipe dreams in this projection. However, this is recruiting, and things can (and do) change quickly and substantially. Much can change within the final six months of a cycle, and we're well over a year away from signing day for the 2026 class.

Last year in my inaugural 2025 mock class (which dropped in October), I correctly predicted that Oklahoma would land the likes of Owen Hollenbeck, Trystan Haynes and others, but misfired on guys like Deondrae Riden and Jaylan Beckley. OU would ultimately choose to back off their pursuit of a couple mortal locks in Gus Cordova and Christian Thatcher, who were in that first mock class. Meanwhile, Marcus Wimberly, Darius Afalava and several other eventual commits weren't even on Oklahoma's radar yet.

So take this with a grain of salt, and understand that Oklahoma's board is still a work in progress. But rest assured that every player named in this mock class is a player for whom the Sooners are in very strong position. Let's begin at the most natural starting point.

Notes: After some early (and heavy) flirtations with Dereon Coleman, the Sooners dialed in their pursuit of O'Neal and ultimately got him committed in late June. He should contend for five-star status in the 2026 cycle, and has given no indication that he has any apprehensions about his pledge to the Sooners. He's the centerpiece of this class and has been active in recruiting his peers thus far.

Notes: Hatton was Oklahoma's original commit in the 2026 cycle, as he pledged to the Sooners midway through his sophomore season in October 2023. He's continued to pick up offers from powerhouse programs, but hasn't wavered. Meanwhile, Jones is the son of former Oklahoma running back Kejuan Jones, so he's grown up a fan of the crimson and cream. DeMarco Murray and the Oklahoma staff offered him very early, and though he's insisted that he'll hear out the other suitors in his recruitment, it's hard not to favor OU to land the Sooner State's top offensive player in the end.