The Oklahoma Sooners are on the edge of a dramatic resolution in their 2026 quarterback recruitment saga. This weekend, all eyes will be on quarterback prospect Bowe Bentley as he makes his eagerly anticipated official visit to the University of Oklahoma. His choice to visit Norman could be the tipping point for both his future and the Sooners’ quarterback landscape.
Bentley has narrowed his decision to two collegiate football powerhouses: Oklahoma and LSU. He spent last weekend at LSU, and now the Sooners have a prime opportunity to leave a lasting impression. After back-to-back visits to his leading contenders, a public announcement of his college destination appears imminent.
Oklahoma’s pursuit of Bentley kicked off with an offer in late January, not long after the arrival of Ben Arbuckle as offensive coordinator. At the time, Bentley was flying under the radar, but his standout junior year has since catapulted him into the national spotlight. Now, Bentley is recognized as a top-10 quarterback prospect for the 2026 class, attracting offers from several high-profile programs.
The Sooners’ recruitment efforts for Bentley raised eyebrows, especially with the prior commitment of Jaden O’Neal – a highly touted four-star quarterback who pledged allegiance to OU last summer. This turn of events has fueled intrigue over Oklahoma’s strategy at the quarterback position.
Recently, O’Neal, though once a solid OU commit, has started exploring other possibilities. He just returned from a visit to Arizona and has hinted at potentially flipping to the Wildcats. O’Neal’s recruitment journey doesn’t stop there; he has a visit lined up with Florida State on June 15, and he’ll be back in Norman for the Sooners’ ChampU recruiting weekend on June 20. However, with Bentley’s decision possibly wrapping up this weekend, O’Neal’s next move might be taken out of his hands by the time he returns to Norman.
The looming choices by both Bentley and O’Neal are critical. This weekend could finally clarify who will don the mantle of QB1 for the Sooners’ future. It’s a thrilling chapter in college recruiting, where the stakes are high and the outcomes uncertain, promising yet another engaging twist in Oklahoma’s football narrative.
