When Oklahoma wants a player, a verbal commitment elsewhere isn’t going to stop them from making a move - and 2027 four-star wide receiver Benny Easter Jr. is the latest example.
The Sooners extended an offer this week to Easter, who’s currently committed to Texas Tech. That commitment came back in November, but his stock has been soaring ever since a breakout junior season at Summer Creek High School in Humble, Texas. And now, the recruiting spotlight is burning even brighter.
Since the start of the new year, Easter has picked up offers from some of the biggest names in college football: Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Texas, Arkansas, Ole Miss - and now Oklahoma. Those programs join a growing list that already included Oklahoma State, Kentucky, Kansas, Houston, Colorado State and UTEP. The message is clear: Easter’s junior campaign didn’t just turn heads - it blew the doors off.
And for good reason. Easter put together a monster 2025 season, hauling in 89 receptions for 1,309 yards and 19 touchdowns.
He wasn’t just a threat through the air, either - he added three kickoff return touchdowns to round out a highlight reel that’s been making the rounds across social media and recruiting boards. His combination of size (6-foot-2), speed, and production has made him one of the most sought-after wideouts in the 2027 class.
The recruiting services are reflecting that rise. According to the 247Sports Composite, Easter is the No. 20 receiver in the nation for 2027 and the No. 136 overall prospect.
He also ranks as the No. 21 player in the state of Texas - which, as always, is stacked with blue-chip talent. Rivals is even higher on him, slotting him as the No. 16 receiver and just outside the top 100 overall at No.
What makes this even more interesting is the timing. Texas Tech didn’t offer Easter until November 11 - right after his junior season wrapped - and he committed just nine days later.
But now, with his recruitment exploding, the Red Raiders are going to have to fight to hold on. And with Oklahoma entering the fray, things could get even more complicated.
The Sooners aren’t exactly short on wideouts in the 2027 cycle. They already have two receivers committed - four-star Demare Dezeurn out of California and three-star Tra’Von Hall from Alabama.
But as we’ve seen time and again, early commitments are just the beginning. Hall, for example, is already drawing renewed interest from SEC programs like Alabama, who’ve turned up the heat since his pledge.
And Oklahoma knows better than most how volatile wide receiver recruiting can be. The 2026 cycle brought its fair share of twists and turns at the position, and it’s clear the Sooners are looking to stay ahead of the curve in 2027. Offering Easter - despite his current commitment - is a sign they’re not just watching the board, they’re trying to reshape it.
There’s still a long way to go before the 2027 class can officially sign, and a lot can change between now and then. But if Easter’s junior year is any indication, he’s going to be one of the most talked-about names in the cycle - and Oklahoma is making sure they’re in that conversation.