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Oklahoma

OU lands commitment from linebacker Jakore Smith

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo05/16/25BPrzybylo
2026 AR LB Jakore Smith3
Jakore Smith. (Photo by: Josh McCuistion - SoonerScoop.com/On3)

Just takes one commitment for OU football, right? You get that first one and the ball might start to get rolling.

We’re not officially at this point, but two in a few days is a nice start for Brent Venables and staff.

Bryant (Ark.) High linebacker Jakore Smith became the second defensive recruit to pledge to OU, telling On3 on Thursday evening.

Smith is a three-star prospect by On3 but ranked as a four-star by Rivals. He is someone that has been on the watch for a couple of reasons. One, because it felt like he could be the next to pop for OU.

But two, he’s also starting to garner more and more attention. Under the radar no more, and OU was able to close the show.

Smith is listed at 6-foot and 180 pounds, giving him a lot of room to grow.

He had already announced his official visit to OU will be June 6-8. But now he will making that trip to Norman as one of the commits for the 2026 class.

Smith joins safety Niko Jandreau in committing to OU this week. The Sooners entered the week without a defensive commitment. That has changed rather quickly.

Highlights of On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine:

  • Combines data and expert predictions on an AI platform.
  • V1 release December 2021 with V2 scheduled in Q2 of 2022
  • Algorithm is built to learn from past results; therefore, accuracy will continue to improve over time.
    • For example, it has the capabilities to learn trends like a coach’s success (or lack thereof) with a specific high school or region, the importance of an unofficial visit, and how valuable social media sentiment really is.
  • On3 is removing the manually controlled  “school interest” section with the RPM prediction.

Expertise and data used for the RPM algorithm:

  • Insight and inputted predictions from industry experts:
    • On3 National Recruiting Insiders
    • On3 Fan Site Recruiting Insiders
    • Industry experts with proven track records (Outside of On3 staff)
  • Visits (by the player and by coaches):
    • Official Visits 
    • Unofficial Visits
    • Coaches Visits
  • Sentiment, analyzed by machine-learning:
    • Social sentiment from the athlete
    • Media sentiment
  • Data of previous related outcomes:
    • Geographic Data
    • Coaching Staff historical data
    • State historical data
    • High School historical data

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