Oklahoma · SECOklahoma rekindles Brody Knowles recruitment with Texas visit
The longtime Illinois wide receiver pledge was scheduled to attend Oklahoma’s Oct. 10 game against Texas after the Sooners once led his recruitment.
OCT 10, 2026
Illinois wide receiver commit Brody Knowles was scheduled to visit Oklahoma for its Oct. 10 game against Texas, reopening a recruitment the Sooners once appeared to lead, On3 reported.
The trip sets up a direct Illinois-Oklahoma battle for Knowles, who remains uncommitted to the Sooners and could become a future wide receiver addition for either program. Oklahoma was 2-2 through Sept. 26, while Illinois was 2-3 through Oct. 3.
The visit was scheduled around Oklahoma’s 3:30 p.m. ET game against Texas on Saturday, Oct. 10. Its length and details were not known, and Knowles had not announced whether he would decommit from Illinois, sign with Oklahoma or when he would make a final decision.
01 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
The hidden comparison is how sharply both programs have fallen behind their 2025 pace while competing for the same receiver. Oklahoma followed a 10-3 season with a 2-2 start, and Illinois followed 9-4 with 2-3. The Sooners reached Oct. 10 after losses at Michigan and Georgia; the Illini arrived after consecutive losses to Ohio State and Purdue. That tests which program can keep a longer-term pitch intact while its early results have slipped. Each pitch now runs against a record carrying multiple losses.
Oklahoma’s showcase also carries a stronger opponent than the records alone suggest: Josh Pate’s preseason bracket placed Texas fifth. Illinois plays at Michigan State at the same 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The calendar then offers more evidence quickly: Oklahoma hosts Kentucky on Oct. 17, and on Oct. 24 Illinois hosts Oregon while Oklahoma visits Mississippi State.
02 · The Open QuestionsQuestions to Be Answered
Does Knowles remain committed to Illinois after Oct. 10?
A change in his pledge would turn a rekindled recruitment into an actual commitment gain for Oklahoma and a loss for Illinois. His status after Oct. 10 is the cleanest tell, because neither a visit nor Oklahoma’s earlier frontrunner position settles the choice. Knowles has not announced that he is leaving Illinois or supplied a final decision date.
How long will Knowles let the recruitment run?
Knowles has not given a decision date, leaving the Oct. 10 trip without a defined endpoint. Oklahoma plays Kentucky on Oct. 17 before visiting Mississippi State on Oct. 24, when Illinois hosts Oregon; both also play Oct. 31. An announced decision date, decommitment or signing choice would show whether this reopening extends through that stretch of the schedule.