In the midst of losing receiver after receiver target from the 2026 class, the Oklahoma Sooners got even more bad news with lone WR commit Daniel Odom also still flirting with other schools. There was one glimmer of recent hope, though, and it could be the Sooners' last chance.
Multiple recruiting experts have recently predicted the Sooners to land consensus four-star WR Davian Groce out of Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas. That could be OU's saving Groce for the 2026 class.
Sooners projected to land 4-star 2026 WR
The Sooners have consistently been losing receiver talent from the 2026 class after getting close. So far, OU has one 2026 WR committed in Odom, but Odom has been exploring other options and even reportedly plans to visit Colorado this upcoming season. There's serious concern he will eventually flip his commitment, leaving OU with no one at the position.
That's what makes securing Groce so important for the Sooners.
Rivals is extremely high on Groce, ranking him as the No. 4 WR in the 2026 class. According to the 247Sports Composite, Groce is the No. 3 athlete in the class and No. 37 overall player while 247Sports rated Groce as a running back instead of receiver. According to recruiting experts, Groce is athletic enough to play both at the college level while listed at 6-foot-1.
While playing both positions and special teams last season as a junior, Groce accounted for almost 1,400 scrimmage yards and 12 offensive touchdowns. As a receiver, he caught 43 passes for 702 yards and three scores. He rushed for 687 yards while also adding three return TDs. He was also named a Navy All-American in 2025 alongside OU quarterback commit Bowe Bentley.
Groce's offer list includes Florida, Florida State, Baylor, Houston, Texas A&M, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss Oregon, Penn State, SMU, Tennessee and more. He hasn't announced a top choices list yet, but reported frontrunners have included OU, Baylor and Florida. This summer, Groce took official visits to OU, Baylor, Houston and Florida.
Even with the favoring predictions, though, Groce can't be considered a lock for the Sooners considering how things have went so far. If Groce does slip away, OU will be down to six offered WR targets that haven't made a decision yet. Of those six, though, four aren't even rated by 247Sports.
The Sooners need Groce's commitment like air.
Read more about OU football recruiting