BREAKING NEWS: Nation’s No. 1 Prospect Commits to Oklahoma Soonars football…..
Micah Rhodes, a dynamic four-star running back from Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas, announced his decision on January 29, 2026, choosing the Sooners over heavy competition from traditional powerhouses including the University of Texas Longhorns football and the Texas A&M Aggies football. As the nation’s top ranked running back in his class, Rhodes instantly becomes one of the most impactful commitments of the early recruiting cycle and a cornerstone piece for Oklahoma’s future offensive identity.
At roughly 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, Rhodes has been a standout performer since his freshman season, when he rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns in Texas’s highly competitive Class 6A division. In his sophomore campaign, he exploded for 1,307 yards and 21 touchdowns, earning MaxPreps Sophomore All-American honors and drawing interest from programs across the country.
What makes Rhodes’ commitment particularly noteworthy isn’t just his talent — it’s the timing. Locked in more than two years before National Signing Day, his pledge represents a major early recruiting coup for the Sooners under head coach Brent Venables and his staff. The move also signals a broader momentum shift in Oklahoma’s recruiting profile, which already boasts the No. 1 ranked 2027 class nationally.
Rhodes credited the Sooners’ coaching staff — and particularly running backs coach DeMarco Murray — for building a relationship that extended far beyond the typical recruiting cycle. Oklahoma was one of the first schools to offer Rhodes, doing so back in June 2024, and Murray has maintained contact regularly since then, serving as a mentor figure and a key influencer in Rhodes’ decision.
“I felt Oklahoma was home from the start,” Rhodes said in his announcement. “Coach Murray has believed in me since I was young, and the environment, the culture, and the people made it clear this was the right place for me.”
Oklahoma’s recruiting staff has long made building early, lasting relationships with elite prospects a priority, and Rhodes’ commitment is a testament to that strategy. With elite early pledges like offensive tackle Cooper Hackett headlining the 2027 class and now Rhodes anchoring the 2028 cycle, the Sooners are positioned to remain a national recruiting force for years to come. (SI)
Rhodes’ early decision also has ripple effects beyond Norman. His commitment could influence other top prospects currently on the board, potentially helping the Sooners continue to stack talent across multiple recruiting classes. Already, Oklahoma’s roster features a mix of high-end recruits and developing contributors, and Rhodes’ arrival is expected to further elevate expectations for the program’s future.
As college football recruiting continues to heat up nationally, landing the nation’s top running back so early is more than a recruiting win — it’s a defining moment that could have lasting implications for the Oklahoma Sooners and their pursuit of sustained excellence on the field.