Oklahoma Flips 2026 Defensive Back From SMU

Oklahoma’s big recruiting week continued on Wednesday as the Sooners landed another verbal commitment from yet another flip.

Defensive back Markel Ford, who was previously committed to SMU, told On3 recruiting insider Hayes Fawcett that he has switched his pledge to OU. 

In March, Ford flipped to SMU after previously committing to Texas A&M.

A physical safety from Horn High School in Mesquite, TX, is a 3-star prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. ESPN rates him the highest of the three, tagging Ford as the No 47-ranked safety in the nation, while 247Sports has him at No. 61 among safeties nationwide.

National Signing Day for the 2026 class is next Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Ford, who also runs track at Horn, collected four interceptions as a junior last year to go along with 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovered.

He picked OU over offers from SMU, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Colorado, Houston, Memphis, Michigan, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Stanford, Tennessee, TCU, Texas Tech, USC and Utah, among others.