BREAKING NEWS: 5-Star WR Luther Burden III Decommits from Missouri, Flips Commitment to Oklahoma Sooners Over Penn State and Tennessee
Luther Burden III, one of the top high school wide receivers in the nation, has made a major decision regarding his future college football destination. The 5-star recruit, previously committed to the University of Missouri, has decommitted and flipped his commitment to the University of Oklahoma Sooners, leaving both Missouri fans and the college football world shocked. Burden, who hails from East St. Louis, Illinois, is considered one of the most highly touted wide receivers in the 2022 recruiting class, and his commitment to Oklahoma signals a major win for head coach Brent Venables and the Sooners.
Burden’s recruitment was a rollercoaster ride, with his decommitment from Missouri marking the latest development in a process that has captivated the attention of college football fans. Missouri, Burden’s home-state school, had long been seen as the front-runner for his services, but despite their efforts, the Tigers ultimately lost out to the Sooners. Burden had initially committed to Missouri back in 2021, but his decision to flip has been a topic of conversation for months, as his recruitment remained open, leaving the door open for other schools to make a push.
Several programs were in pursuit of Burden, but it ultimately came down to Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Penn State as the primary contenders for his services. The Sooners, who have been a consistent powerhouse in college football, made a strong late push for Burden and were able to secure his commitment. Oklahoma’s impressive coaching staff, led by Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, played a significant role in attracting Burden to Norman.
For Burden, the decision to choose Oklahoma was likely influenced by the program’s reputation for developing wide receivers and its recent success on the national stage. Under Venables, Oklahoma has remained a contender for College Football Playoff spots, and Burden will have the opportunity to showcase his talents on a national platform. The Sooners’ offensive system, known for its high-scoring attack and ability to develop playmakers, provides an ideal setting for Burden to make an immediate impact.
As for the other schools in the race, Penn State and Tennessee also made strong pushes to land Burden. Penn State, under head coach James Franklin, has consistently recruited at a high level, while Tennessee, with head coach Josh Heupel at the helm, has seen a resurgence in recent years. However, Burden ultimately decided that Oklahoma provided the best opportunity for his development and future success.
Burden’s decision to decommit from Missouri and flip to Oklahoma is a huge blow for the Tigers, who had hoped to keep the highly sought-after prospect in-state. However, the impact of Burden’s commitment to Oklahoma cannot be overstated. It represents a major coup for the Sooners’ recruiting efforts, especially in the competitive landscape of college football. Burden’s decision also highlights the influence of coaching changes and the role of program stability in shaping a recruit’s final choice.
As Burden prepares for his final high school season, the focus will shift to his upcoming college career. He is expected to make an immediate impact for Oklahoma, where he will join a talented roster and look to contribute to the Sooners’ efforts to return to national championship contention. With Burden in the fold, Oklahoma’s future at wide receiver looks brighter than ever, and Sooners fans are already excited about what the future holds for their prized recruit.
