Oklahoma QB Bowe Bentley celebrates Brent Venables landing top TE Tyler Ruxer, boosting the 2026 class and signaling strong…. Read More…..
The Oklahoma Sooners just scored another major recruiting victory, and no one’s more excited than star quarterback Bowe Bentley. The program’s leader and rising Heisman candidate took to social media Friday to celebrate head coach Brent Venables’ latest coup — the commitment of five-star tight end Tyler Ruxer, the No. 1 ranked TE in the 2026 recruiting class.
Ruxer’s decision marks a monumental addition to an already impressive recruiting class and signals that Venables and the Sooners are building something special — fast.
Tyler Ruxer, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound weapon out of Buford High School in Georgia, announced his commitment via a nationally streamed livestream on Friday morning. Choosing Oklahoma over offers from Alabama, Georgia, USC, and Michigan, Ruxer cited his trust in Venables’ vision and the connection he built with Bentley during an unofficial visit earlier this summer.
Oklahoma felt like family,” Ruxer said during his announcement. “Coach Venables is building a championship culture, and I believe in what Bowe Bentley is doing on and off the field. That’s the quarterback I want to catch passes from.
Ruxer is widely regarded as one of the most complete tight ends in the country — a dangerous vertical threat with elite blocking ability. His addition gives Oklahoma a dual-purpose star that fits perfectly in offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s aggressive scheme.
Within minutes of Ruxer’s announcement, Bowe Bentley took to X (formerly Twitter), posting.
The post quickly went viral among Sooners fans, gathering over 40,000 likes in the first hour. Bentley, entering his junior season, has emerged not only as a field general but as a vocal leader in the recruiting room. Insiders say his presence played a key role in swaying Ruxer to Norman.
According to team sources, Bentley and Ruxer connected during multiple visits and Zoom calls, forming a budding bond centered on chemistry and shared ambition.
They clicked right away,” one staffer said. “Bowe’s pitch was simple: come win championships with me.
This latest commitment adds even more firepower to Oklahoma’s already stacked 2026 class, which now includes three five-star players and seven four-stars — ranking No. 2 nationally, behind only Ohio State.
For head coach Brent Venables, it’s vindication of a patient but purposeful recruiting approach focused on toughness, character, and competitive grit.
Tyler represents everything we want in a Sooner — physical, passionate, and relentless,” Venables said in a brief statement. “He’s a culture fit, and he’s going to be a game-changer.
The Sooners’ recent surge in recruiting comes as they prepare for their **second season in the SEC**, a move that has raised both the stakes and the expectations. After a strong 10-3 finish in 2024 and a Top 10 recruiting class in 2025, momentum is building in Norman like never before under Venables’ leadership.
With Bentley still having one year of eligibility left and Ruxer slated to arrive in 2026, many fans are already speculating about a potential early enrollee connection — or at the very least, a handoff from Bentley to another elite QB, such as current freshman Trent Galloway.
Either way, Ruxer’s commitment confirms that elite offensive weapons now see Oklahoma as a prime destination — not just a historic program, but a forward-moving one.
As Bowe Bentley continues to rise in the national spotlight, and Brent Venables keeps stacking talent, the message is clear.