​The 2027 recruiting class for the Oklahoma Sooners remains at 27 commitments after running back Keldrid Ben reaffirmed his pledge to OU on Friday. Ben’s decision ensures that Deland McCullough, Oklahoma’s running backs coach, has successfully kept a player on board who originally committed to McCullough’s predecessor, DeMarco Murray. The Montgomery High School product has been committed to Oklahoma since December 1, and his re-up keeps the Sooners’ backfield plans intact as the staff continues to shape the class.
Ben is a four-star prospect standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing in at 208 pounds. He is currently ranked as the No. 86 overall player in the 2027 cycle according to Rivals, and he is widely regarded as a consensus four-star recruit. His recruitment had become competitive once more after he rushed for 18 touchdowns as a junior in 2025, signaling a strong statewide and regional appeal that OU is eager to harness. His production as a ball carrier, including more than 1,500 rushing yards in high school, underscored his potential to contribute immediately in Norman if given the opportunity.
Ben’s commitment adds to an emerging Oklahoma backfield alongside fellow Texan Jakoby Dixon, who was Deland McCullough’s first addition to the 2027 class. The Sooners, under the guidance of head coach Brent Venables and general manager Jim Nagy, have been actively assembling a top-flight group of backs, leveraging the program’s recent success on the field in 2025 to attract high-caliber talent. This cohesive approach reflects OU’s intent to build a diversified and explosive running game that can support the team’s offensive system in the coming years.
From a national perspective, 247Sports places Ben as the 14th-best running back in the 2027 class, the 39th-best player in the state of Texas, and the 225th overall player in the 2027 nation. His inclusion signals the Sooners’ commitment to strengthening both the depth and the talent level at the position as part of a broader strategy to sustain competitiveness at the highest levels of college football.
As Oklahoma continues to assemble its class, Ben’s reaffirmation stands as a key piece of the puzzle in Norman. His willingness to stay committed provides stability for McCullough’s room and demonstrates the program’s growing influence in Texas and the surrounding regions. The Sooners’ staff will likely look to capitalize on this momentum in the months ahead, aiming to sustain a steady pipeline of top-tier backs who can contribute to OU’s offense once they enroll and begin their development in Norman.
For fans following Sooners recruiting, this development aligns with the broader narrative of Venables and Nagy building a formidable 2027 class with a balanced mix of talent, depth, and local appeal. Ben’s pledge, alongside Dixon’s commitment, reinforces OU’s efforts to recruit a powerful and versatile backfield that can complement Oklahoma’s offensive schemes and provide the kind of explosive playmaking OU fans have come to expect. The recruitment landscape remains dynamic, but Ben’s reaffirmation solidifies one of the cornerstone pieces of Oklahoma’s 2027 plan and signals that the Sooners are positioned to contend for continued success in the near future.