The Oklahoma Sooners have once again proven their knack for spotting talent before the rest of the college football world catches on. Back in December, they secured a commitment from Keldrid Ben, a running back who at the time was flying completely under the radar. Fast forward a couple of months, and Ben's stock has skyrocketed, with Rivals now ranking him as the No. 5 running back prospect for the 2027 class and awarding him a four-star rating.
When Ben initially committed, he wasn't on the radar of any major recruiting outlets. In fact, Oklahoma was his only Power Four offer, with UTSA and McNeese State also showing interest.
The Sooners, however, weren't swayed by the lack of stars or rankings. They were impressed by Ben's performance on the field, where he racked up 1,560 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on just 152 carries, averaging an impressive 10.3 yards per attempt during his junior year at Montgomery High School in Texas.
His skills as a pass-catcher and his 4.5-second 40-yard dash speed at 208 pounds and 5-foot-10 height added to his appeal.
Since committing to Oklahoma, Ben's profile has risen significantly. He's garnered new offers from top programs like Texas, Oregon, Florida State, and USC. As he heads into his senior season, expect that list to grow.
The updated rankings have placed Ben as the No. 8 running back in the 2027 class and the No. 178 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite. In Texas, he's now the No. 27 overall player. This meteoric rise has seen him jump to the sixth-highest rated commit in the Sooners' 2027 class.
The challenge for Oklahoma now is to keep Ben committed until December, especially with more programs likely to pursue him. The departure of DeMarco Murray, who recruited Ben and is now coaching with the Kansas City Chiefs, adds another layer of complexity. Deland McCullough has stepped in to fill Murray's shoes, and his role in maintaining Ben's commitment will be crucial as the Sooners look to hold onto this emerging talent.