For the second time within 24 hours, it looks like the Oklahoma Sooners will lose another 2026 commit just days before Early National Signing Day to a recruit's in-state program under new leadership.
Hayes Fawcett of Rivals reported on Monday that three-star defensive tackle T-Ron Richardson decommitted from the Sooners just before being able to sign on Wednesday. This news came after four-star wide receiver Brayden Allen on Sunday also decommitted from OU and was immediately predicted to flip to the LSU Tigers and new head coach Lane Kiffin.
T-Ron Richardson decommits from Oklahoma
According to the 247Sports Composite, Richardson, from Hopewell High School in Virginia, is the No. 64 defensive lineman in the 2026 class and No. 14 overall prospect in the state. He pledged to the Sooners on Aug. 26 over offers from Virginia Tech, Penn State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Virginia, West Virginia and more.
Since Richardson's commitment, though, in-state Virginia Tech fired head coach Brent Pry and hired former Penn State head coach James Franklin, who has been hot on the recruiting trail recently since the move. Franklin had offered Richardson while still at Penn State, and Richardson also already had an offer from Virginia Tech. Richardson then took a second official visit to Virginia Tech this past weekend. Since decommitting from the Sooners, 247Sports quickly logged a prediction for Richardson to stay home and commit to the Hokies.
Even with the loss of Richardson, the Sooners still have a pair of defensive tackles committed from the 2026 class in James Carrington and Brian Harris. Both are rated better than Richardson, according to the 247Sports Composite.