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Oklahoma Sooners beat out Missouri and Kansas State for 4-star offensive lineman

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•06/09/25•

bykeeganpope

Recruiting Q&A - 2025-03-08T135459.858
EJ Holland/On3

Midlothian (Texas) four-star offensive lineman Noah Best has committed to Oklahoma, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Best chose the Sooners over more than 20 offers, including finalists Missouri and Kansas State. His decision comes on the heels of his official visit to Norman over the weekend.

“What’s exciting about the Sooners is that Coach B (Bedenbaugh) shows me how much they want me and how great of a coach he is,” Best told On3’s Steve Wiltfong after a junior day visit in January. “To say that to me means a lot and it definitely sways me in their direction. OU is very similar to a lot of schools but what makes it stand out to me is the staff Coach B makes OU feel special to me.”

The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder is the No. 388 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Best also checks in as the nation’s No. 30 interior lineman and the No. 51 recruit in the Lone Star State.

He is the ninth commitment of the cycle for Brent Venables and Co. The Sooners’ class currently stands at No. 33 nationally in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Four-star Jaden O’Neal headlines OU’s crop, along with fellow blue-chippers Daniel Odom, Jakore Smith and Best.

Sooners also in strong position for top-10 tight end

Venables and his staff hosted more than a dozen official visitors in Norman over the weekend and look to be in prime position to close some of them. With two — Best and EDGE Matthew Nelson — already in the fold, eyes now turn to On3 four-star tight end Tyler Ruxer.

He’s now been to Norman twice since the Sooners extended a scholarship in the spring. And they continue to make him feel like a major priority.

“I like Oklahoma’s winning culture. I felt the staff there was very genuine and is going to be successful in the future,” he told On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “As well, Coach Finley and Arbuckle want to get the tight end involved on the offense and develop me which Is important to me.”

As a junior en route to a state championship Ruxer turned 43 receptions into 893 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging over 20 yards per catch. he had 30 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble as well.