Oklahoma Sooners among top 12 for elite 2026 defensive end

[ASFN Admin]

The Oklahoma Sooners continue to be in a good position for one of the best defensive ends in the 2026 recruiting class, four-star prospect Kevin Ford, Jr. The Sooners were included in Ford's top 12 released on Thursday.

Along with the Sooners, Ford named Texas A&M, Florida, Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Penn State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Missouri, and USC. He's a bonafide blue-chipper with the opportunity to be a legit difference-maker at the collegiate level. He comes with great size for the position

Here's what I had to say about Ford after Sam Spiegelman of Rivals issued a Futurecast favoring the Sooners after OU's Junior Day at the end of January.

Out of Duncanville High School, Ford is a disruptive defensive end prospect. He's got a quick get-off at the snap that he uses to knife through the line of scrimmage or get around offensive tackles. Ford shows good play strength, displaying the ability to knock back offensive linemen with his initial strike. He sets the edge well in the run game and shows good discipline in his responsibilities. His speed and athleticism make him a natural pass rusher, but he has the strength to be a force against the run. Ford has a strong motor and is willing to chase down plays from the backside or after the quarterback steps up to avoid his initial rush. - Williams, Sooners Wire

Oklahoma defensive end coach Miguel Chavis has done an excellent job on the recruiting trail, landing blue-chip edge rushers in each recruiting cycle since joining the Sooners in 2022. Chavis and the Sooners will have their hands full on the recruiting trail as they work to fend off a who's who in collegiate recruiting. But the Sooners are in a great spot to land the dynamic defensive end out of Texas.

Highlights​

Check out Kevin Ford Jr.'s Highlights on Hudl.

Vitals​

Projected Position	Defensive End
Height	6-foot-3
Weight	245 lbs
Hometown	Duncanville, Texas

Ratings​

Site	Stars	Overall	Position	State
Rivals	4	97	9	14
ESPN	4	138	16	14
247Sports	4	97	10	16
247Sports Composite	4	105	13	15
On3	4	234	28	33
On3 Industry	4	109	15	16

Twitter​

NEWS: Four-Star EDGE KJ Ford is down to Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’4 245 EDGE from Duncanville, TX is ranked as the No. 2 EDGE in Texas (per On3)

Where Should He Go?https://t.co/pVnVtS1fimpic.twitter.com/plDy56QmW4

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 20, 2025

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners still in the mix for 2026 4-Star DE Kevin Ford Jr.

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