Latest insight from top recruiting analyst brings hopeful news for Oklahoma Sooners biggest recruit of the 2026 class

For the Oklahoma Sooners, all eyes are on the recruitment of elite 2026 quarterback recruit Bowe Bentley. The Sooners are in a dogfight with the LSU Tigers to secure his commitment, and they held his last visit earlier this month. 

Both teams are waiting for an announcement, which could come any day now. According to several sources, Bentley is waiting until he returns home from the Elite 11 competition this week before discussing it with his family and deciding. 

However, that delay might be beneficial for Sooners fans. 

According to On3 recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong, the longer this process goes on, the better the Sooners' chances are in bringing Bentley in. 

"I think the longer it goes, it does not favor LSU but we shall see. Tigers battling....I think LSU was the program with the momentum. So if it slows down there is a reason. That's my logic. LSU needed to rally on OU at a point in my opinion and they did just that in the spring heading into summer OVs. Then had a great OV. Now trying to get it to the finish line if it slows down I think that favors OU."

There are plenty of signs that work in Oklahoma's favor here over LSU. The trip is much closer to Norman for his family, the Oklahoma staff has made him their top priority and he has a great relationship with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, he is close with Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, and his family has grown up as Oklahoma fans. 

Bentley has made a name for himself at the Elite 11 competition, consistently turning heads and delivering several strong performances as each day has gone on. His talent as a dual-threat player has made him one of the hottest rising quarterbacks in the entire class, and it's evident why he is the top priority for the Sooners this year. 

I get the sense that he would be the catalyst for Oklahoma's class rising into the top ten, as several other recruits are waiting to see where Bentley goes. If he continues his high level of play, it feels likely that Bentley will end the 2026 class as a five-star recruit. 

That prestige, and the knowledge that he will be their signal caller, could entice other top recruits the Sooners are after, such as Davian Groce and Jayden Petit. 

We'll keep monitoring how this situation unfolds, but the Sooners have to like where they stand here.