The recruiting drought is finally over, and maybe the 2026 flood gates can open now for the Oklahoma Sooners.
According to Hayes Fawcett of On3 on Tuesday, three-star safety Niko Jandreau committed to OU to become the Sooners' first defensive commit of the 2026 class. He was also the Sooners' first high school commitment since wide receiver Daniel Odom pledged on Jan. 28, ending a nearly four-month dry spell for Brent Venables and his staff.
Safety Niko Jandreau commits to Oklahoma
Jandreau had just announced his top 5 less than a week ago, ultimately choosing OU over Missouri, USC, Georgia Tech and Washington. OU offered Jandreau on Feb. 16, and he visited Norman on March 29. Jandreau also has an official visit to OU scheduled for June 20 during the Sooners' ChampU weekend.
Although listed as a safety, Jandreau plays all over the place for Hamilton High School in Arizona, including safety, nickel corner and linebacker. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Jandreau's versatility could make him a perfect fit to play Venables' cheetah position, which is a hybrid between safety and linebacker.
Jandreau is a consensus three-star recruit who Rivals ranks as the No. 59 safety in the 2026 class. He would likely play safety anywhere else he ended up, with the Sooners being the only program that could offer him the unique cheetah role.
With recruiting heating up as summer nears, this could finally start a run for the Sooners after a slow start to the 2026 class. The coaching staff has been focused on transfer prospects during the spring, but they also must overcome last year's poor season and Venables' uncertain future when recruiting high school prospects.
Even through those factors, OU has recently made the top groups for multiple 2026 recruits, including five-star defensive end Jake Kreul, four-star defensive lineman Brian Harris, three-star linebacker Mason Marden and three-star cornerback Ryan Gilbert.
Jandreau could not only get the Sooners over a hump, but also start a household pipeline. OU is also after Jandreau's brother, Beau, who is a three-star linebacker. The Sooners already have two sets of brothers on their roster.
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