Arkansas lands 2026 LB and former Oklahoma commit Jakore Smith

Bryant (Ark.) three-star linebacker Jakore Smith has committed to Arkansas, he told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.

Smith backed off his pledge to Oklahoma late last month, but quickly a found a new spot close to home with the Razorbacks and new head coach Ryan Silverfield.

“I decommitted from Oklahoma because I don’t feel like a priority anymore,” Smith told Fawcett on November 24. “They lowered my NIL significantly and said they are stuck at that price, no changes. I talked with some former D1 teammates of mine and current OU players and they agreed with me and my decision.”

Memphis, SMU and Arkansas were among the main contenders for Smith, who hails from Bryant, three hours south of Fayetteville.

BREAKING: Class of 2026 LB Jakore Smith has Committed to Arkansas, he tells me for @rivals⁰⁰The 6’1 195 LB from Bryant, AR decommitted from Oklahoma November 24th⁰⁰“Staying home with it. All Glory to God”⁰⁰https://t.co/S5uB8WcsrT pic.twitter.com/tHRvWNqiBO

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 1, 2025

The 6-foot, 195-pounder is the No. 580 overall prospect and No. 49 LB in the 2026 class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

Rivals, however, is higher on him than 247 and ESPN, tabbing him as the country’s No. 37 linebacker and a high three-star prospect.

Smith is the second commitment of the day for Silverfield, who landed four-star in-state defensive lineman Danny Beale III this morning. He was quickly followed by four-star running back TJ Hodges, a teammate of his at Bryant, who flipped his pledge from Missouri to the Razorbacks.