Jason Witten. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Five-star LB Cooper Witten, son of 11-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten, announces CFB commitment

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 6:54 PM ET

The Oklahoma Sooners and head coach Brent Venables have to be very excited about the linebacker prospect they just picked up out of Argyle, Texas (Liberty Christian High School).

Not only is this commitment by Cooper Witten a massive one from a rankings standpoint, but he'll be bringing an elite pedigree with him to Norman.

Witten, a five-star linebacker recruit, is the son of Jason Witten. Notably, Witten is Oklahoma's new tight ends coach.

The elder Witten played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers before going on to a 17-season NFL career that included 11 Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams.

The younger Witten, Cooper, is ranked as the No. 2 linebacker in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

He committed to Oklahoma on Tuesday.

BREAKING: Elite 2027 LB Cooper Witten has Committed to Oklahoma, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6’2 215 LB from Argyle, TX chose the Sooners over Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Georgia

He’s the son of 11-time Pro Bowler and Oklahoma TE Coach Jason Wittenhttps://t.co/rdVVkDZfoo pic.twitter.com/HjNAT251qv
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 3, 2026

One would have to imagine that his dad coaching at Oklahoma played a big factor in this decision, but it's still big for Venables and the Sooners to reach down into Texas to steal away a top recruit, nonetheless.

Five-star LB Cooper Witten a massive pickup for Oklahoma Sooners

Speaking of the state of Texas, both the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies were in the running for Witten's commitment. So was Tennessee and Georgia, so this is a massive recruiting win for the Sooners.

Witten is a high school safety, but he projects to be a linebacker in college.

"Physical specs and play style would easily translate to off-ball linebacker in the long term," wrote Gabe Brooks of 247Sports in a scouting report of Witten. "Presents high-floor competency with simultaneous high-ceiling developmental potential as one of the most intriguing defensive prospects at this early stage in the 2027 class."

Witten is the 14th commitment to a 2027 Oklahoma recruiting class that has a chance to be elite. It's currently ranked No. 1 in the country.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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