Sooners just lost an elite 2027 recruit to one of their biggest rivals, but it's not something they should worry about at all

· Yahoo Sports

Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten, left, talks with coach Brent Venables during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Oklahoma Sooners just lost out on another 2027 recruit, but it’s not as big a deal as some would think.

The Oklahoma Sooners missed on four-star offensive tackle Brian Swanson, the 6'5 prospect from Dallas, Texas, who committed to the Texas Longhorns.

Oklahoma currently holds the No. 1 overall recruiting class in the 2027 cycle, but Swanson’s decision to join their biggest rival adds a layer to this loss that extends beyond the rankings.

Swanson, a South Oak Cliff Golden Bears product, is ranked No. 76 in the country, No. 8 at offensive tackle, and No. 13 in Texas, according to ESPN’s rankings. The Sooners finished third in his recruitment, just behind SMU, with Texas ultimately winning out.

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The Sooners are still in great shape at offensive tackle

Does anything need to be said here about whether Oklahoma will survive this? Not really. The Sooners already have the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2027 class, Cooper Hackett, one of the best players in the entire country regardless of position. They also have Kaeden Penny, a Bixby, Oklahoma, product who is currently listed as a tackle but projects as a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing multiple spots at the next level.

When you look at what the Sooners already have on the offensive line in this class, losing Swanson doesn’t create a hole. It’s more of a missed opportunity to add to an already loaded group. Oklahoma’s 2027 class sits at No. 1 overall for a reason, and that standing didn’t change because one tackle chose Austin over Norman.

Texas getting Swanson is the real story

Here’s the thing about this recruitment, though. It’s less about what Oklahoma lost and more about what Texas gained. Swanson is a player with extreme upside at 6'5 with the frame and athleticism to thrive in the Longhorns’ system. He’s the type of prospect who could become a problem for the Sooners in a few years, when these two programs meet on the field.

The rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas makes every recruiting battle carry extra weight. Landing a top-80 national recruit from Texas is a win for the Longhorns. And, it’s the kind of addition that strengthens their offensive line pipeline for the future. The Sooners can live without Swanson, but they’d certainly rather he ended up somewhere other than Austin.

Where Oklahoma stands in the 2027 class

The Sooners hold the best recruiting class in 2027, and losing one offensive tackle recruit doesn’t change that. With Hackett and Penny, OU has two offensive linemen committed who project as immediate college contributors. The class can always get better, but the foundation is rock-solid with six offensive line commits.

Swanson’s choice of Texas stings because of the rivalry. Where he ends up on the Longhorns’ depth chart in a couple of years will be worth monitoring.

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