Oklahoma Sooners lose out on elite recruit for 2026 class to a school you'd least expect in the modern era of CFB

Sooners lose Braxton Lindsey to BYU

Braxton Lindsey, considered one of, if not the best player in Arkansas, is considered an athlete in the class of 2026 because of how versatile he is, being able to play so many different positions. At 6'3" and 230 pounds, he had an impressive junior season in 2024, catching 62 passes for 1,139 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 18.4 yards per catch. 

On defense, he recorded 28 tackles, nine sacks, 10 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups. His basketball background adds to his athleticism, too, and is just another cherry on top as to why he is so highly coveted -- he's just an athlete. Lindsey’s versatility as an edge rusher and offensive playmaker is what gives him the potential to be a good player at the next level.

Rated as a high four-star recruit, Lindsey is ranked No. 7 in Arkansas by 247Sports. He received 25 scholarship offers from top programs like Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Miami, Baylor, and Stanford, making him a highly sought-after prospect.

Leading up to his commitment date, the thought was that Lindsey would be a Sooner, at least, that's what the thought was a few weeks ago. Recently, he went on a visit to BYU, and it appears that's when everything changed. His last visit is to the school he is committed to, with Oklahoma being one of the first visits he had.

The Sooners could have used that win, but you know what, they have gotten a lot of wins over the last two months.