This season, the Oklahoma Sooners held the largest recruiting weekend they’ve ever had. When they hosted over 80 recruits from the 2026, 2027, and 2028 recruiting classes to see them take down Michigan. That win kicked off some much-needed momentum and provided assurance to the commits that the program they are joining is a competent one. OU needed this rebound after their dismal showing in 2024. But Brent Venables is far from done as he tries to entice a Tulane commit to flip and join his squad. Even a 2026 Sooners QB is weighing in.

This weekend’s win over Auburn carried a similar script as the Michigan one. While the list of attendees wasn’t quite as staggering as the UM weekend, there were still names worth circling, especially for the 2026 cycle. One of those was wide receiver Brayden Allen, a Tulane commit who continues to draw plenty of glances from P4 programs. Seeing the Sooners be 4-0 made a big impression on Allen, per Rivals national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman’s report.

Allen admitted the Sooners gave him plenty to think about. “I am feeling great about them,” Allen said after watching the game. Even Oklahoma quarterback commit Bowe Bentley took a chance to weigh in. He took to X, signaling his excitement at the idea of possibly throwing passes to Allen in the years ahead. Bentley, already a centerpiece in the Sooners’ 2026 recruiting pitch, has made Norman something of a second home. His presence has become as much about recruiting as it is about his own future role, and his online reaction underscored just how much Oklahoma values Allen.

The Sooners aren’t alone in chasing him. Ole Miss, Colorado, Oklahoma State, and Boston College have all been linked to Allen, proof that his skill set resonates beyond his star rating. But Oklahoma has something the others don’t: momentum. Sitting at No. 7 in the rankings,Venables’ staff is searching for the kind of late-cycle surge that can elevate a class from solid to special. Flipping a dynamic Louisiana receiver would fit that mold.

Brayden Allen leaves Norman with plenty to think about

As Brayden Allen made the trip to Norman for Oklahoma’s Top-25 clash with Auburn, the goal was pretty clear. Give him the full Sooners experience and see if a flip is possible. The environment did its job, and Allen didn’t hold back about why Oklahoma has his attention.

“Just the culture and the coaches there … I see young receivers getting on the field over there a lot, which lets me know that they are getting developed enough to get on the field early and contribute,” Allen told Spiegelman. “I feel like I can go over there and do the same.”

Allen, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior from Lafayette (La.) Christian Academy, doesn’t pop off the recruiting rankings the way a five-star usually does. He sits at No. 581 overall and No. 86 among WRs in the 247 Sports Composite. Within Louisiana, he’s slotted as the No. 20 prospect in the state. Yet the film and the numbers tell a story that the stars don’t quite capture.

Last season, Allen reeled in 55 catches for 1,155 yards and 10 touchdowns, a blistering 21 yards per grab. He didn’t just stay on offense either. He contributed on defense and special teams, flashing that do-it-all skill set that makes coaches keep tabs even when the national ranking lags.