CB Lebron Bauer signs with Oklahoma, turning his dream to reality

Allen (Texas) CB Lebron Bauer is the Sooners' final addition to the 2026 class from the high school ranks

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Three-star cornerback Lebron Bauer from Allen, Texas has signed with the University of Oklahoma, fulfilling his lifelong dream of playing for the Sooners. Bauer, who had previously received offers from several other programs, committed to Oklahoma after a last-minute offer from the coaching staff.

Why it matters

Bauer's signing is a significant addition to Oklahoma's 2026 recruiting class, as the team was looking to fill a need at cornerback following the departure of Jay Valai to the NFL. Bauer's commitment also highlights the Sooners' ability to land top talent late in the recruiting cycle.

The details

Bauer, a 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back, had been recruited by Oklahoma since his sophomore year of high school. However, the process intensified in the final weeks leading up to National Signing Day, with the Sooners' coaching staff extending a full scholarship offer to Bauer just a week before he made his decision public. Bauer, who grew up dreaming of playing for Oklahoma, committed on the spot and plans to take his official visit to Norman later this month.

  • Bauer started getting recruited by Oklahoma as a sophomore.
  • The recruitment process between Bauer and Oklahoma intensified between his sophomore and junior years.
  • About a month or two ago, Oklahoma's coaches were 'hard on' Bauer about a potential offer.
  • A week ago, Oklahoma's coaches FaceTimed Bauer and offered him a full scholarship.
  • Bauer committed on the spot and plans to take his official visit to Oklahoma later this month.

The players

Lebron Bauer

A three-star cornerback from Allen, Texas who has signed with the University of Oklahoma, fulfilling his lifelong dream of playing for the Sooners.

Jim Nagy

The general manager for the University of Oklahoma football program.

Stacey Ford

An assistant coach on the Oklahoma football staff who extended the scholarship offer to Bauer.

Markel Ford

A three-star safety who is also a childhood friend of Lebron Bauer and a late addition to Oklahoma's 2026 recruiting class.

Jay Valai

The former cornerbacks coach at Oklahoma who left the program to join the NFL.

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What they’re saying

“Oklahoma's always been my dream school. I started getting recruited by Oklahoma as a sophomore, and then it started cooking up between sophomore and junior year… but more recently, they were hard on me about a month or two ago. And then it stopped. And then about a week ago, out of nowhere, Coach Stacey [Ford] asks if he can call me. He FaceTimes me, and he's in a room with Jim [Nagy], and Mr. Stacey offered me a full ride. And I just committed on the spot.”

— Lebron Bauer, Cornerback (OUInsider.com)

“Believe it or not, I grew up with Markel Ford. So me and him have been in on this. We're overly close; we've played on multiple 7-on-7 teams together. So we're really close. We're ready.”

— Lebron Bauer, Cornerback (OUInsider.com)

“Just mainly the history. Just knowing the opportunity that [I have], soaking it in. It's truly such a blessing to play at a program like OU. This isn't normal; everything's just so elite there. That's what I'm most excited about. I'm just ready to go soak it in, because it's very rare that somebody gets to be a Sooner. So I'm truly blessed.”

— Lebron Bauer, Cornerback (OUInsider.com)

What’s next

Bauer plans to take his official visit to the University of Oklahoma later this month, after signing his National Letter of Intent.

The takeaway

Lebron Bauer's last-minute commitment to the University of Oklahoma highlights the Sooners' ability to land top talent late in the recruiting cycle, as well as Bauer's lifelong dream of playing for the storied program. His addition to the 2026 class fills a key need at cornerback and brings a scrappy, hungry player to the Oklahoma defense.