Oklahoma offers 2026 No. 1 IOL Lamar Brown

Oklahoma has entered the race for the nation’s top interior offensive lineman in the 2026 cycle.

On Sunday, Erwinville (La.) University Lab five-star IOL Lamar Brown announced an offer from associate head coach Todd Bates and the Sooners. The program in Norman joins a slew of others in the SEC that are vying for the 6-foot-3.5, 255-pounder.

After a great talk with @CoachToddBates I’m blessed to receive an offer from The University of Oklahoma!!! #BOOMER@OU_CoachB @CoachVenables pic.twitter.com/COLXYuMuY0

— Lamar Brown (@lamar1brown) December 15, 2024

Brown’s recruitment — as expected — has centered around the LSU Tigers. Attending University Lab on the LSU campus, Brown already has deep ties with Brian Kelly’s program and is already trending to the in-state school, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

While Brown’s recruitment is likely the Tigers’ to lose, it was Texas A&M that Brown named as his leader following a visit to College Station, where he saw the Aggies defeat LSU. He’s now been to campus three times and has also gotten a very good feel for the Lone Star program.

“Texas A&M is No. 1 and this game helped them in my recruitment,” Brown told On3 in October. “The people there in College Station show a lot of love. Every coach shows love to me every time we see each other. That is why they are on top. I feel like I’m getting more comfortable every visit I take in College Station.”

Oklahoma will look to have a say, too. Touted lineman coach Bill Bedenbaugh is no stranger to winning a big recruitment or two — most recently signing Lewisville (Texas) Five-Star Plus+ tackle Michael Fasusi over Texas and Texas A&M. Fasusi’s relationship with Bedenbaugh was crucial in his final decision.

“Coach B coaches at a high level, and I really believe I will be in good hands,” Fasusi told On3. “He was a key piece in my decision. People don’t know this, but he is a funny guy. What stands out most is how real he is. His numbers with developing offensive linemen are more than impressive, but he never talks about them. He is not that guy. Coach B is humble, he is real and he is honest. Our relationship is deep.”

Brown is officially on the radar in Norman. He is the No. 9 overall prospect and top-ranked IOL in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the top-ranked junior in The Boot.

“Brown stars as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman for University Lab and ranks as an interior offensive lineman. At 6-foot-3.5, 255 pounds, Brown has plus length, advanced movement skills and explosive pop in his hands. There are some eye-popping moments on his sophomore film, as Brown has the ability to detonate defenders on initial contact,” On3’s scouting and rankings team writes of Brown as a prospect.