The 4-star QB, Bowe Bentley of the 2026 class, has been throwing some explosive numbers, and he’s got the arm talent to make scouts take notice. At 6-foot-2 and approximately 200 pounds, Bentley has the classic build of a contemporary QB. Last year, Bentley guided Celina High to a 16-0 season and a Texas 4A Division I state title, accumulating more than 4,200 total yards and 63 touchdowns as a junior. Coaches rave about his work ethic and leadership, and his highlight reels relay accurate throws into tight windows and incredible escapes from tacklers.

Just when you thought that Bentley’s tale was all about recruiting and OVs, he received the call every high school QB wants: the invite to the Elite 11 Finals. This is where the legends such as Carson Palmer, Andrew Luck, and Tim Tebow tasted fame for the first time, and Bentley will now be sharing the platform with the country’s top signal callers at this year’s event in Los Angeles. The Elite 11 is more than an exhibit; it’s a three-day gauntlet of competition, coaching, and classroom instruction, designed to push a quarterback to their limits. But while Bowe Bentley is gearing up for upcoming challenges, reports say his official visits are nearing completion, and he has already selected his top 2 contenders.

Following a whirlwind series of campus visits—stops at Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, and Florida State. He’s narrowed his choices to his top two schools: LSU and Oklahoma, according to On3. “Both schools have laid out very clear plans for how I fit in the future,” Bentley told On3. “They are great staff who have helped me and my family understand how I can win a championship and keep growing and developing.” This is his opportunity to be the next great signal-caller in their illustrious histories.

”Right now, I’m letting it all sink in,” Bentley said. “Specifically, this week, I’m getting focused on going to do my best at Elite 11 Finals next week. Through this process tried my hardest to focus on what is right ahead of me. When I go on a visit, I focus on that school and people as much as possible. I block out talking to the other school when I’m on a visit.” 

Oklahoma recently has a 2026 QB committed in Jaden O’Neal, but Bentley’s emergence and the Sooners’ aggressive recruitment have thrown a monkey wrench into the plans. O’Neal, who was a rock-solid OU commit, has begun to look around, taking an unofficial visit to Arizona and arranging an official trip to Florida State. If Bentley goes to Oklahoma, it could perhaps create a domino effect, perhaps forcing O’Neal to seek out options elsewhere for his college career. Alternatively, if Bentley takes LSU, the Sooners may hold on to O’Neal or frantically seek out another solution.

And now with both of them still fresh in his head, Bowe Bentley is still in the middle of his decision-making stage. He’s backing away from the hype to concentrate on what he knows is right. “Visits are a lot to take in, and you have to come off the high when you come home to really think about everything I learned on the visit,” he said. “They both did a great job- there were some differences between the two, and I like thinking more about those after I get home for a couple of days.”

Amid Bowe Bentley’s uncertainty, can the Oklahoma Sooners keep the momentum going?

Currently, the Sooners’ class in 2026 is already shaping up to be strong with a good nucleus of players committed. Ryder Mix, a three-star tight end from Frisco, Texas, was an early commitment and is one of the stalwarts in the group. At quarterback, Jaden O’Neal is the name everyone is following around, but he is keeping an eye on whether or not Bentley is coming to Norman and becoming a test case for him. In advance, the Sooners are constructing a wall. 3-star IMG Academy OL Will Conroy was the first big man to commit, and he’s the type of versatile player coaches adore.

Noah Best, another OL, signed up recently, and the staff is still running for the top targets, Deacon Schmitt. The loss of the best offensive tackle in the class, Felix Ojo, was a blow, but Oklahoma’s recruiting on the offensive line is not yet over. On defense, the Sooners are getting speed, size, and attitude. Hard-hitting safety Niko Jandreau was the first defensive commitment of 2026, and he’s the kind of player Brent Venables craves in his secondary.

Jakore Smith, a 4-star LB, and Brian Harris, a Florida-born DL, may prove to be a game-breaker in the trenches. And just recently, the Sooners inked Derrick Johnson II, an athletic, long cornerback out of California who can shut down receivers and even play a little offense himself. With additional official visits looming and a coaching staff that is aggressive on the recruiting trail, the 2026 class may be one of the greatest in recent history.