Jason Witten’s move to Oklahoma’s coaching staff raised more than a few eyebrows - and plenty of expectations. The Hall of Fame tight end was officially named the Sooners’ new tight ends coach last week, and naturally, the college football world immediately turned its attention to his son, Cooper Witten, one of the top prospects in the 2027 class.
On paper, it looked like a slam dunk. Dad joins the OU staff, son follows suit - especially when that son is a five-star recruit with a rare blend of versatility and upside. But recruiting rarely follows the script, and in Cooper’s case, the story’s far from over.
Just as Oklahoma was announcing Jason Witten’s hiring, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko and a few of his assistants were making moves of their own. The Aggies’ staff paid a visit to Cooper at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas - the same place where Jason had been head coach before taking the job in Norman.
That’s not just a courtesy stop. That’s a full-court press.
Cooper shared a photo from the visit on social media, tagging Elko and assistants Elijah Robinson and Tyler Santucci with a simple caption: “#GigEm.” And while social media posts don’t equal commitments, they do make one thing clear - Cooper Witten is still keeping his options wide open.
Despite the natural assumption that he’d follow his father to Norman, Cooper hasn’t made a decision yet. And he’s got no shortage of choices. His top 10 includes some of the biggest names in college football: Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas Tech, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee - the latter being Jason Witten’s alma mater.
There’s no denying OU has a unique edge here. Not only is Jason now on staff, but the Sooners were the first FBS program to offer Cooper - way back on June 8, 2024, before he became one of the most sought-after players in the country. That kind of early belief doesn’t go unnoticed in recruiting circles.
And it’s not hard to see why so many top programs are after him. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Cooper is ranked as the No. 21 overall prospect in the 2027 class by the 247Sports Composite and the No. 1 linebacker in the nation.
In Texas - a state that churns out blue-chip talent like clockwork - he’s the No. 4 overall player. Rivals has him even higher at No. 19 nationally.
What makes Cooper even more intriguing is his two-way ability. He’s a dominant linebacker, but also a standout wide receiver - the kind of athlete who can change the game on either side of the ball. That versatility makes him a potential star at the next level, no matter where he lands.
One lingering question is whether Cooper will stay at Liberty Christian for his senior season or transfer to a high school in Oklahoma to be closer to his dad. That decision could offer another clue in his recruiting journey, but for now, it’s another piece of the puzzle.
What we know for sure: the Witten name carries weight, and Cooper’s recruitment is shaping up to be one of the most closely-watched storylines in the 2027 class. Oklahoma may have the inside track, but with schools like A&M, Alabama, and Ohio State still in the hunt, this one’s far from wrapped up.