Signing Day Verdict: Texas Stars vs. Sooner Stability

The dust has settled on National Signing Day 2026. The ink is dry. And once again, the Red River rivals have taken two completely different paths to roster construction: one paved with 5-star celebrity, the other with military-grade stability.

Texas: The Celebrity Class

In Austin, Steve Sarkisian landed the “Ceiling Class.”

By securing signatures from 5-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson and athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr., Texas ensured its place in the Top 10 nationally. These are program-changing talents who walk onto campus as instant stars.

Sarkisian didn’t mince words about the quality of his haul. On Atkinson, he was direct: “I thought we hit a home run at the linebacker position. Obviously, Tyler Atkinson is a fantastic football player for us.”

But the praise for Jermaine Bishop Jr. (ATH) was even more telling of the “celebrity” offensive firepower Texas is assembling. “He’s an electric player with the ball in his hands,” Sarkisian told reporters. “The guy scores touchdowns, almost like that’s what he does for a living.”

However, the “Celebrity” model comes with drama. Losing two late flips—defensive linemen Corey Wells (to Auburn) and Vodney Cleveland (to UNC)—is the price of admission when you’re swimming in these waters. Texas accepts the volatility because the high end wins championships.

Oklahoma: The Soldier Class

In Norman, Brent Venables landed the “Soldier Class.”

24 commitments. 24 signatures. Zero drama.

The Sooners didn’t chase the recruiting rankings crown (finishing #15-16), but they chased fit. The defining story of the class wasn’t a new addition, but the retention of Jonathan Hatton Jr., the 4-star running back who flirted with Texas A&M before re-affirming his pledge.

Venables highlighted this loyalty as a cornerstone of his “stability” pitch. “He came full circle,” Venables said of Hatton. “Big, strong… he flies. Great instincts.”

Venables emphasized that this class wasn’t about “quick fixes” or “shortcuts,” a clear nod to building a sustainable culture over chasing portal hype. By locking down players like Hatton early and refusing to let them sway, Oklahoma proved their culture has stabilized after the SEC transition shock.

The Verdict

The strategies are diverging.

• Texas is betting on elite, game-breaking talent (Atkinson, Bishop) to overwhelm opponents, accepting the chaos of modern recruiting battles as a necessary evil.
• Oklahoma is betting on identification and development, signing “Venables Guys” who fit a specific physical and mental profile (Hatton) without the circus.

February 4th didn’t change those identities; it reinforced them in permanent ink.