**Oklahoma Sooners Overcome Brief Recruiting Scare as Top Prospect Reaffirms Commitment**
*NORMAN, Okla. —* The Oklahoma Sooners breathed a collective sigh of relief this week as one of their most highly coveted recruits put an end to swirling speculation about his future by reaffirming his commitment to the program. The brief scare sent waves of anxiety through the fan base and coaching staff alike, but the Sooners can now move forward with renewed confidence in their 2025 recruiting class.
The player at the center of the drama is four-star wide receiver **Jaylen Bradford**, a standout talent out of Cedar Hill, Texas. Bradford initially committed to Oklahoma earlier this year, citing his admiration for head coach Brent Venables’ vision and the offensive scheme orchestrated by offensive coordinator Seth Littrell. However, recent interest from other powerhouse programs, including Texas, LSU, and Alabama, sparked rumors that he was reconsidering his pledge to the Sooners.
Those rumors reached a fever pitch earlier this week when Bradford postponed a planned visit to Norman and instead attended an unofficial event at the University of Texas. That move triggered widespread speculation that the Longhorns were making a serious push to flip the dynamic receiver.
Social media lit up with theories, message boards buzzed with concern, and recruiting analysts began to list Bradford as a potential flip candidate. The sense of urgency inside Oklahoma’s football offices was palpable, and sources close to the program confirmed that both Venables and Littrell made immediate contact with Bradford and his family to clarify the situation.
Late Wednesday night, Bradford addressed the rumors publicly in a statement posted to his X (formerly Twitter) account.
> “I want to make it clear that I’m still 100% committed to the University of Oklahoma,” Bradford wrote. “There’s been a lot of noise lately, but I’ve prayed about this decision and talked it through with my family. Coach Venables and the staff have been nothing but real with me, and I believe in what they’re building in Norman. BOOMER!”
The announcement was met with a flood of positive reactions from Oklahoma fans, players, and current commits, many of whom had been actively recruiting Bradford on social media throughout the week.
Head coach Brent Venables briefly addressed the situation during a media availability on Thursday, expressing gratitude for Bradford’s loyalty and reaffirming the program’s commitment to its recruits.
> “We understand that these young men are under a lot of pressure, and there’s always going to be noise,” Venables said. “But what matters is the relationships we build and the trust that comes with it. Jaylen is a phenomenal athlete and even better person. We’re thrilled he’s staying a Sooner.”
Bradford is ranked as one of the top wide receivers in the 2025 class and is expected to be a centerpiece in Oklahoma’s transition to the SEC. His elite route-running ability, speed, and hands make him a threat in any offensive scheme, and his commitment solidifies the Sooners’ standing as one of the top recruiting forces in the country.
With Bradford’s reaffirmation, Oklahoma’s 2025 class remains inside the top 10 nationally according to multiple recruiting services, and the coaching staff can now turn its attention to closing strong on several other high-priority targets before the early signing period in December.
For now, the Sooners have avoided a potentially significant blow and continue to build momentum as they prepare for one of the most pivotal seasons in recent program history.
