Surprise Commitment: The Nation’s No. 3 Four-Star Defensive Lineman, Brian Harris, Flips to Oklahoma Sooners Football at Midnight — Calling Oklahoma “The Only Choice That Felt Like Home”

Surprise Commitment: The Nation’s No. 3 Four-Star Defensive Lineman, Brian Harris, Flips to Oklahoma Sooners Football at Midnight — Calling Oklahoma “The Only Choice That Felt Like Home”

 

In one of the most unexpected recruiting twists of the 2026 cycle, the nation’s No. 3 four-star defensive lineman, Brian Harris, has officially flipped his commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners football program, announcing his decision just after midnight on Tuesday. The talented defensive standout had long been committed elsewhere, but in a dramatic turn of events, Harris declared that Norman, Oklahoma, is now “the only choice that felt like home.”

 

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had been a priority target for several major programs, including Georgia, Alabama, and Texas, but Oklahoma made a late surge that proved impossible for Harris to resist. His midnight announcement came via a live social media broadcast, where he proudly donned a crimson Oklahoma cap before saying, “This decision came from the heart. The love from the fans, the belief from Coach Venables and the staff — it just felt like family. Oklahoma isn’t just a school; it’s home.”

 

For the Sooners, this is a massive recruiting victory, solidifying their 2026 class as one of the strongest defensive groups in the country. Head coach Brent Venables and defensive line coach Todd Bates have been relentless in their pursuit of top defensive talent, and Harris’s flip marks another statement win on the trail. Known for his explosive first step, powerful hands, and versatility along the line, Harris is expected to be an instant-impact player when he arrives in Norman.

 

Recruiting insiders had long speculated that Oklahoma was pushing hard to change Harris’s mind, but few expected a flip to actually occur — especially this late in the cycle. Sources close to the recruitment say that Harris took a quiet unofficial visit to Oklahoma two weeks ago, where he spent time with current players and attended a practice session. That visit, according to those close to him, sealed the deal.

 

“Everything about Oklahoma felt right,” Harris told Sooner Illustrated after the announcement. “The energy, the coaches, the way they develop players — I could see myself growing here not just as a player, but as a man.”

 

His commitment gives Oklahoma a much-needed boost on the defensive front, an area Venables has made a clear priority as the Sooners prepare for continued play in the SEC. Harris joins a class that already features multiple elite prospects, including four-star linebacker Jakore Smith and defensive back Ryan McKinley, adding even more depth and firepower to the Sooners’ defensive identity.

 

With Harris now on board, Oklahoma’s 2026 recruiting class jumps even higher in the national rankings, further cementing the program’s resurgence under Venables’ leadership. For Sooner fans, the midnight announcement wasn’t just a surprise — it was a statement that Oklahoma’s defense is being built to dominate for years to come.

 

As Harris put it best in his closing words:

“Some choices are made with your head. This one was made with my heart.

Boomer Sooner.”