Oklahoma Sooners Among Top 3 Contenders for Game-Changing 2026 Cornerback—Who’s the Mystery Recruit?

If you’re keeping an eye on the Oklahoma Sooners’ recruiting landscape, you’ve probably noticed something interesting stirring beneath the surface. Their 2026 class? Yeah, it’s still in its infancy — just four players inked so far, all offensive firepower led by the four-star dynamo, Jaden O’Neal. But here’s where it gets juicy… the Sooners are flexing serious muscle in the chase for a rising defensive gem, cornerback Ryan Gilbert. This 3-star prospect out of Forney, Texas, just narrowed his sights down to Oklahoma, SMU, and Houston, and if you ask me, the Sooners have that magnetic pull right now. Gilbert isn’t just another name on the board; he’s a fierce competitor with a knack for playing bigger than his 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame might suggest, showing smooth man coverage skills and a relentless approach to run support. Sure, SMU and Houston are making waves, but Oklahoma? They’re primed to snag one of the slickest cover men in the recruiting class — and that could shift the defensive tide in a heartbeat. Curious for the deep dive? LEARN MORE

The Oklahoma Sooners 2026 recruiting class is just four players deep at the moment, but with the summer months approaching, that number will grow substantially ahead of the 2025 season. All four players are on the offensive side of the ball, led by four-star quarterback Jaden O’Neal. But the Sooners are the trending favorite for a fast-rising cornerback in the cycle, Ryan Gilbert.Considered a three-star prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, Gilbert released his top three schools: Oklahoma, SMU, and Houston.SMU and Houston are making big plays on the recruiting trail right now, so the Sooners will have to hold off some up-and-coming recruiting schools. However, Oklahoma is in a strong position to add one of the more intriguing cornerback prospects in the class.

Gilbert has a strong athletic profile and is a competitive player. He plays bigger than his 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame might indicate. He plays fast. Gilbert shows off the ability to match well in man coverage. When playing trail technique, he does a good job staying with his receiver by feel, allowing him to look back for the football to make a play. He drives on the football well when playing off coverage and is a willing tackler in run support. Gilbert does a great job with his hands to break up passes even after it looks like the wide receiver is about to secure the catch. – Williams, Sooners Wire

Here’s what I had to say about Gilbert at the beginning of April after he was projected to land with the Sooners following a big recruiting weekend for the Sooners.

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