Why 2026 QB Bowe Bentley already feels like the ideal fit for the Sooners

Between analyzing physical traits, studying film and crunching numbers, the ultimate thing every college football program is looking for in any recruit is a player that can help them win. That's what Bowe Bentley, Oklahoma's future quarterback from the 2026 class, does best.

Bentley was a headliner of the Sooners' 2026 recruiting class that all signed on Wednesday during the first day of the Early Signing Period. OU head coach Brent Venables during his press conference for the occasion was asked about Bentley, as he first stated the obvious about Bentley before listing his traits and eventually even comparing part of the way Bentley does things to former OU quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.

Brent Venables compares Bowe Bentley to Sam Bradford

"He wins," Venables said. "A great competitor. The accuracy that he throws with, the anticipation that he throws with, the guts and the toughness that he plays with.

"He's got a great disposition for it. Unlike a middle linebacker or an alpha that's barking all the time, Bowe's pretty cerebral. Reminds you a little bit of a Sam Bradford from that standpoint. Never too high, never too low. But, yeah, every environment he's in, he loves to compete."

Still winding down his senior season at Celina High School in Texas, Bentley has yet to lose a football game as a starting quarterback, and he's done so in a state where high school football is king. In his first year as a starter last season, he led Celina to a Texas 4A D-I state championship and is looking to make it back-to-back titles with his team currently 13-0 with a quarterfinal matchup ahead this weekend.

Shortly after Ben Arbuckle arrived as offensive coordinator, Oklahoma was one of the first programs to jump on Bentley after his stellar junior campaign and offered him even before he was rated by most recruiting services. Since, Bentley has exploded as the No. 6 QB in the 2026 class and No. 68 overall prospect in the country as a four-star recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite, with about every program in the nation wanting him on their roster.

Ultimately, Bentley chose OU over LSU, fulfilling his dream of becoming a Sooner after being raised in a family that was already part of Sooner Nation. There's even a picture of a young Bentley wearing a crimson jersey and flashing horns down.

Bentley has always won football games and cheered for the Sooners, and since neither of those habits will change, he's the perfect quarterback for Oklahoma.