5-Star QB Stuns College Football World with Shocking Decommitment from Mountaineers, Flips Commitment to Oklahoma Over Powerhouses Penn State, Tennessee and More
In a bombshell move that sent shockwaves throughout the college football landscape, 5-star quarterback recruit Jayden Collins has officially decommitted from West Virginia and flipped his commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners, choosing Brent Venables’ program over other national powerhouses including Penn State, Tennessee, and Georgia. The decision comes just months after Collins had pledged to the Mountaineers, raising hopes in Morgantown that the team had landed a future cornerstone under center.
But on Monday morning, Collins made headlines with a surprise announcement on social media: “After long discussions with my family and prayerful consideration, I’ve decided to decommit from West Virginia University and will now be continuing my college football journey at the University of Oklahoma. I’m incredibly grateful for the WVU staff and fans, but this is the best decision for my future. #BoomerSooner”
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound phenom from Buford, Georgia is ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the nation and No. 7 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. Known for his rocket arm, pocket poise, and elite athleticism, Collins has drawn comparisons to NFL stars like C.J. Stroud and Deshaun Watson. His flip to Oklahoma is not only a massive recruiting win for the Sooners, but a significant setback for West Virginia, which had built its 2026 class around him.
A Heartbreaker for the Mountaineers
For West Virginia head coach Neal Brown and his staff, the loss of Collins is nothing short of devastating. His commitment last November was seen as a turning point for the program’s recruiting efforts, a symbol that the Mountaineers could compete with the elite programs for top-tier talent. Collins had spoken glowingly about the culture in Morgantown, the coaching staff’s belief in him, and his desire to “build something special.”
Now, that vision has unraveled in a matter of days.
According to sources close to the situation, Oklahoma made a hard late push for Collins in recent weeks, fueled by the opportunity to play in a more high-profile system with national exposure and a clear track record of quarterback development. With the Sooners transitioning smoothly into the SEC, Collins saw a platform that could launch him into early NFL Draft consideration.
“I don’t think it was about West Virginia doing something wrong,” said one recruiting analyst. “It was more about Oklahoma doing everything right—and having a more proven infrastructure for quarterbacks. That was ultimately too much for Collins to pass up.”
Why Oklahoma?
The Sooners’ ability to flip Collins is a testament to the tireless recruiting work of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jeff Lebby, as well as head coach Brent Venables. Despite entering the race late, Oklahoma presented Collins with a clear and compelling path to immediate development and national visibility.
“It’s a quarterback-friendly system,” said Collins in an exclusive interview with Sooner Illustrated. “They’ve had guys come in and really excel, whether it’s Dillon Gabriel or what they did with Caleb Williams before he transferred. I know I can grow there. I want to compete in the SEC and be on the biggest stage, and I think Oklahoma gives me the best shot at that.”
For Venables and his staff, the commitment represents yet another milestone in what has become a dominant 2026 recruiting cycle. The Sooners now have the No. 3-ranked class in the nation, per 247Sports, with Collins serving as the crown jewel.
A Recruiting Battle to Remember
Collins’ recruitment was intense from the start. Even before his commitment to West Virginia, schools like Tennessee, Penn State, Georgia, and Florida were actively pursuing him. Tennessee, in particular, had rolled out the red carpet during multiple visits, offering a pathway to early playing time and NIL incentives. Penn State made a strong late push as well, with James Franklin personally visiting Collins twice in the span of three weeks.
In the end, however, it came down to fit, opportunity, and vision. Oklahoma simply checked all the boxes.
“He wanted to be somewhere that had the ability to develop him, get him on TV every weekend, and position him as a future first-rounder,” said an anonymous source close to the Collins family. “That’s Oklahoma right now.”
Fallout and Future Implications
The reverberations of Collins’ flip will be felt for months. West Virginia is now scrambling to find a replacement, but the timing makes it difficult—most elite 2026 QBs have already narrowed down their choices or committed. Expect the Mountaineers to pivot toward top-50 prospects who may be under the radar or late bloomers.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s stock continues to rise. With Collins now locked in, the Sooners have the potential to become the next quarterback factory in the SEC, positioning themselves to go toe-to-toe with Alabama, LSU, and Georgia on the recruiting trail.
“This is a massive, massive win,” said former Oklahoma quarterback and ESPN analyst Dusty Dvoracek. “It tells everyone in the SEC that Oklahoma isn’t here to just compete—they’re here to dominate.”
What’s Next for Collins?
While he remains fully committed to finishing out his high school career, Collins says he’s already planning to enroll early at Oklahoma in January 2026. He will compete for the starting job with current freshman signal-caller Travis Howard, though insiders say Collins is already being viewed as the long-term future at the position.
“I’m ready to get to work,” Collins said. “But right now, I’m focused on leading Buford to a state championship. After that, it’s full steam ahead in Norman.”
One thing is clear: Jayden Collins just changed the entire college football recruiting conversation with a single decision. And if his on-field performance is anything like his recruiting saga, Soo
ners fans may be watching a star in the making.