Class of 2026 safety Markel Ford flipped his commitment from SMU to the Sooners, announcing the switch via a hype-filled X post captioned “Boomer Sooner!! #agtg” alongside a crimson-clad graphic. The 6-foot-0.5, 196-pound standout from Lancaster (Texas) Horn High School—ranked as a consensus three-star prospect (No. 61 safety, No. 626 overall per 247Sports)—marks OU’s second flip in a week, hot on the heels of four-star RB Jonathan Hatton Jr.‘s return from Texas A&M. With early signing day kicking off December 3, this pledge vaults Oklahoma’s 2026 class into top-15 contention, signaling Brent Venables’ staff isn’t slowing down amid a 6-6 season. “The Sooners’ late surge gets them another quality addition,” per 247Sports, and X lit up with “BOOM 👊” emojis from the official OU_Football account.
Ford’s Journey: From Aggie Dream to Pony Flip—and Now Boomer Bound
Ford’s recruitment reads like a Texas recruiting thriller, full of decommitments and powerhouse pursuits:
• Early Buzz (2022-2023): SMU struck first with an offer in November 2022, but Ford’s stock exploded—garnering 30+ scholarships from bluebloods like Texas A&M, Oklahoma (September 2023), Texas, LSU, Oregon, and USC. He emerged as a “college-ready” safety with a sturdy frame, ball-hawking instincts (4 INTs as a junior), and track speed (10.8 100m).
• Aggie Pledge & Decommit (June 2024): Ford locked in with Texas A&M as a four-star gem (No. 8 safety per ESPN at the time), choosing the Aggies over OU and others in a splashy X announcement. But he backed off the pledge later that year amid Mike Elko’s staff shakeups.
• SMU Stability (April 2025): The Mesquite native recommitted to Rhett Lashlee’s Mustangs on April 25, drawn by proximity (just 30 miles from home) and their AAC rise. It felt “strong,” per insiders—until OU reentered the chat.
• The Flip Catalyst: A Week 13 official visit to Norman sealed it. Ford, who had cooled on the Sooners post-A&M decommit, got the full VIP treatment: crimson carpet rollout, one-on-one time with DB coach Jay Valai, and a glimpse of OU’s revamped secondary under new DC Zac Alley. “God knows the plans he has for me! 🙏🏾,” Ford posted alongside his pledge graphic, tagging OU_Football. On3 RPM predictions from Steve Wiltfong and Sam Spiegelman had forecasted this exact flip as early as November 20, citing OU’s “momentum” in the cycle.
Now the 23rd commit in OU’s 2026 haul (18th on defense), Ford joins fellow safety Niko Jandreau (four-star from Georgia) to give Venables a versatile back-end duo. His tape? Physical in run support (55 tackles, 3 FF as a junior), rangy in coverage, and a special-teams ace—perfect for Alley’s aggressive scheme.
Why OU? The Perfect Fit for Ford’s Skill Set & Sooners’ Needs
Oklahoma’s pitch hit home: Elite development (OU safeties like Billy Bowman Jr. thrive in the NFL pipeline), SEC pedigree post-2024 entry, and Texas recruiting dominance (OU holds five in-state pledges for ‘26). Ford’s “sturdy frame and college-ready demeanor” align with Alley’s vision for hybrid safeties who blitz and roam—think a budget version of current Sooner standout Robert Spears-Jamper. For a Sooners D ranked 85th in pass efficiency defense (2025), Ford’s ball production could accelerate the rebuild.
From SMU’s side? A gut punch—Lashlee’s ‘26 class drops from 18 to 17 commits, losing a local cornerstone amid AAC title hopes. But Ford’s flip underscores the SEC money game: OU’s NIL collectives (estimated $400K+ for top safeties) outpaced the Ponies, per recruiting whispers.
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