BREAKING NEWS: 5-Star DB Prince Ijioma flips Commitment to Oklahoma football Over Tennessee, Florida and Ole Miss…..
In a major recruiting development for the 2026 college football class, elite defensive back Prince Ijioma has officially flipped his commitment to the University of Oklahoma Sooners football program after drawing interest from powerhouse programs including University of Tennessee, University of Florida, and University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). The five-star prospect’s decision marks one of the most significant commitment swings of the early signing period and provides a huge boost to Oklahoma’s recruiting momentum under head coach Brent Venables. (Sources: Sooners commitment boards, recruiting insiders)
Ijioma, widely regarded as one of the top defensive backs in the nation for the 2026 cycle, had been heavily pursued by several Power 5 programs throughout the fall and winter recruiting cycles. The talented DB, known for his elite athleticism, physicality in coverage, and ball-hawking instincts, drew serious interest from SEC contenders like Tennessee and Florida as well as the Rebels at Ole Miss. However, after a sustained recruiting push from the Sooners’ staff, Ijioma chose to pledge his future to Oklahoma, flipping from his previous commitment in a move that immediately reshapes the landscape of secondary recruiting for the class. (Recruiting intel + insider chatter)
This is a significant win for Oklahoma’s staff, which has aggressively pursued impact defensive talent as part of its overhaul ahead of the 2026 season. The Sooners have endured considerable turnover—particularly on defense—as they lost multiple players to the transfer portal and graduation following their 2025 campaign. Ijioma’s pledge adds a cornerstone piece to the defensive backfield and gives Venables and his coordinators one of the premier coverage athletes in the entire class. At 6-foot-3 and with excellent length, speed, and instincts, Ijioma projects as an immediate difference-maker at safety or cornerback, giving Oklahoma a versatile piece who can shadow top receivers, support in run defense, and help dictate coverage schemes at the next level. (Recruiting evaluation consensus)
The flip also represents a significant recruiting defeat for Tennessee, Florida, and Ole Miss—programs that have all made concerted efforts to land Ijioma in recent months. Tennessee had emerged as a strong contender late in the process, emphasizing its defensive pedigree and path to immediate playing time, while Florida’s defensive back development track record made them an attractive destination. Ole Miss, similarly, pitched an SEC stage and proximity to Ijioma’s home region. But in the end, Oklahoma’s combination of coaching, roster opportunity, and championship aspirations won out in securing his signature.
Oklahoma fans and staff alike are celebrating the commitment, which comes as the Sooners continue to build one of the most dynamic recruiting classes in the country. Ijioma’s decision solidifies a strong defensive back room for years to come and underscores Oklahoma’s national recruiting reach—especially when battling elite programs from the Southeastern Conference for top talent.
With Ijioma now in the fold, Oklahoma positions itself as a top contender not only in recruiting rankings but also in its on-field defensive future. The Sooners will look to capitalize on this momentum throughout the rest of the signing period and beyond.