It’s been a bit since the Oklahoma Sooners suffered a loss of any kind, including on the recruiting trail, but Brent Venables & Co. finally had a causality in the month of November. However, this could just be a sacrifice for another Sooner win.
Hayes Fawcett of On3 and Rivals reported on Monday that three-star linebacker Jakore Smith decommitted from OU's 2026 class just over a week before Early National Signing Day on Wednesday, Dec. 3. This could be a foreshadow that another addition is on the way, though.
Jakore Smith decommits from Sooners
According to the 247Sports Composite, Smith is the No. 49 linebacker in the 2026 class and outside of the top 500 overall prospects.
Smith was one of the Sooners' earliest additions to their 2026 class after pledging in May. However, Smith has recently admitted to multiple outlets that he hasn't felt like a priority for the Sooners, and OU even reportedly lowered his NIL package, ultimately pushing Smith away to open up a spot.
Since committing to the Sooners, Smith has visited Kansas State, Nebraska and Arkansas.
The Sooners have recently gained overwhelming recruiting momentum thanks to their success on the field as likely College Football Playoff competitors. That has led to multiple 2026 targets recently flipping to join the Sooners and to OU having one of the best 2027 classes early on.
Three-star linebacker Dane Bathurst decommitted from Duke on Nov. 13, and the Sooners extended an offer the next day. Bathurst just took an official visit to Oklahoma this past weekend, when the Sooners beat Missouri. In just a short time, it's now looking like Bathurst could end up joining the Sooners, especially after Smith's recent decision.
Bathurst, according to the 247Sports Composite, is the No. 57 linebacker, which is actually below Smith, but apparently general manger Jim Nagy and his staff really like what they see from Bathurst and the value they get from him. Bathurst is also listed as an edge rusher by On3 and Rivals.
The Sooners also have a commitment from 2026 three-star linebacker Beau Jandreau, who is the No. 89 LB in the 247Sports Composite rankings.