Just a few days ago, the Oklahoma Sooners hadn’t added a defensive player to their 2026 recruiting class. Well, that’s changed quickly. After earning a commitment from three-star safety Niko Jandreau on Tuesday, the Sooners added four-star linebacker Jakore Smith on Thursday evening.
Smith, out of Little Rock, Arkansas, picked the Sooners over offers from Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Tennessee.
Smith is considered the No. 18 linebacker in the 2026 cycle and the No. 4 player in the state of Arkansas, according to 247Sports. ESPN rates Smith as the No. 9 linebacker in the class.
It’s a place the Sooners have recruited well over the last couple of years. In the 2025 recruiting class, Oklahoma signed Arkansas defensive standouts Marcus Wimberly and Omarion Robinson. Smith also represents the first linebacker commit under linebackers coach Nate Dreiling.
Smith is a fast and physical player. He plays the middle linebacker spot but also displays the ability to walk down and play along the line of scrimmage. He has good play strength and has a feel for blitzing through multiple gaps. He’s fast to the football and arrives with force. Smith has a nose for the ball, displaying the ability to jar the ball loose with big hits and strips to create turnovers.
An athletic and versatile player, the Sooners could opt to play Smith at the weakside linebacker spot or at the cheetah position in Brent Venables defense.
He’s the sixth member of the 2026 recruiting class and the second on the defensive side of the ball. He currently represents the highest-rated commitment in the cycle, according to 247Sports, but the Oklahoma Sooners are just getting started with their summer of commitments.
Highlights
Watch Jakore Smith highlights on Hudl.
Vitals
Ratings
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