The Oklahoma Sooners continue to zero in on big-time defensive linemen from the 2026 class.
Defensive lineman Elijah Golden has narrowed down his choices and set a commitment date, according to Kyle Kelly of On3. Golden will announce his decision between OU, Alabama, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech on Saturday, July 26.
Elijah Golden sets commitment date and top 4
Golden, listed at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, is a consensus four-star recruit out of Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, Florida. According to the 247Sports Composite, Golden is the No. 24 defensive lineman in the 2026 class and 26th-best prospect in the state of Florida. 247Sports is the highest on Golden and ranks him as the No. 16 defensive lineman in the class.
The Sooners have been trying to stockpile defensive linemen from the 2026 class as they continue to bolster their frontlines for the SEC. So far, they have four-star Brian Harris committed, as well as defensive ends Matthew Nelson and Daniel Norman. And the Sooners aren't close to finished yet.
On Monday, OU made the top 5 for defensive lineman Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais from Colorado. Valdin Stone, from Sweden, also put OU in his final eight choices. The Sooners are also frontrunners to land edge rusher Jake Kreul, who ESPN rates as a five-star recruit.
This 2026 class will join a group that's already loaded with young talent, including sophomores Jayden Jackson and David Stone, both of which played in every game last season as freshmen. In the 2025 class, OU added four-star DL Trent Wilson, four-star edge rusher CJ Nickson and three-star edge Alexander Shieldnight. OU also brought in edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. from Florida State through the transfer portal.
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