Although the Oklahoma Sooners were sweating it out and the process didn't lack drama, there shouldn't have been any shock that 2026 quarterback Bowe Bentley ultimately chose to be a Sooner.
Bentley emerged as OU's top QB target from the 2026 class after his recruiting stock skyrocketed after his first season as a starter at Celina High School in Texas. He threw for 3,467 yards and 52 touchdowns last season, plus rushed for another 991 yards and 16 scores while winning a Texas Class 4A-I state championship and being named a Navy All-American.
Finally, after an intense recruiting war with SEC foe LSU, the Sooners landed Bentley, who immediately became the highest-rated commit in OU's 2026 class. Sooner Nation obviously celebrated such a talent coming to Norman, but the addition became even greater once fans learned more about Bentley's roots.
Despite growing up in Texas, less than 50 miles north of Dallas, Bentley was raised a Sooner fan. Shortly after OU offered Bentley, he even admitted to On3 that it was a childhood dream.
Then, after Bentley actually committed to the Sooners last month, even more evidence emerged that Bentley was destined to be a Sooner.
Viral post shows Bentley grew up rooting for OU
Bowe Bentley was born with that #OUDNA! pic.twitter.com/A1qIi5HD3e
— The Main Line Podcast (@TheMainLinePod) June 20, 2025
Flashing the Horns Down and repping a crimson jersey long before even taking snaps for OU made Bentley an immediate fan-favorite of Sooner Nation.
My QB @bowebentley pic.twitter.com/HpIvpwa9Vg
— Rdavisou (@therealdealhol1) June 20, 2025
We are getting a Sooner fan, through and through
— BAE (@OkieFBfan) June 21, 2025
Warms the heart man https://t.co/OVHHYmDLYW
Imagining this picture on screen during timeout at the 2028 national championship game
— Jack (@jackdmurph) June 20, 2025
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