In a stunning twist that sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, five-star wide receiver Malik Benson Jr. has officially flipped his commitment from the Auburn Tigers to the Oklahoma Sooners. The dynamic pass-catcher, long regarded as one of the premier talents in the 2025 recruiting cycle, made his announcement via social media, abruptly ending Auburn’s hopes of building their passing attack around the explosive playmaker.
The news comes as a massive blow to Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, who had prioritized Benson as the centerpiece of his 2025 offensive haul. Equally significant is Benson’s decision to choose Brent Venables and the Sooners over other college football giants, including Notre Dame and Tennessee, both of which were heavily in contention down the stretch.
This high-profile flip not only reshapes Oklahoma’s recruiting class but also raises critical questions about Auburn’s momentum and long-term outlook under Freeze.
Hailing from DeSoto, Texas, Malik Benson Jr. has been a household name among recruiting circles since his sophomore year. At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Benson combines elite top-end speed with sharp route running and a physical presence at the catch point. In his junior season alone, he racked up 1,485 yards and 18 touchdowns, torching defenses week after week in Texas’ ultra-competitive 6A division.
Analysts widely regard him as the most complete wideout in the 2025 class. His ability to line up inside or outside, track deep balls, and break tackles after the catch makes him a rare offensive weapon. A composite five-star recruit, Benson had offers from virtually every powerhouse program in the country, but Auburn managed to secure an early pledge after an impressive spring visit to The Plains.
That now feels like a distant memory.
Benson’s sudden change of heart marks a devastating reversal for the Tigers. Just two months ago, he had doubled down on his Auburn commitment in interviews, stating he had built a “brotherhood” with fellow offensive commits and felt “fully aligned” with Freeze’s vision for the program.
However, according to sources close to Benson’s recruitment, several factors contributed to the shocking decommitment:
- Quarterback uncertainty: Despite Auburn’s attempts to land a blue-chip quarterback to pair with Benson, the Tigers have struggled to gain traction with elite signal-callers.
- Offensive inconsistency: Auburn’s lackluster offensive performance last season, especially in the passing game, raised red flags for Benson and his camp.
- OU’s late push: Oklahoma’s wide receivers coach Emmett Jones made a relentless late push in April, visiting DeSoto three times in two weeks. That face-to-face persistence paid off.
“Malik wants to play for a program that develops receivers and competes for championships,” said one source familiar with the recruitment. “Oklahoma sold him on both—Auburn just couldn’t match that energy.”
The Sooners, who are preparing for their second season in the SEC, wasted no time selling Benson on their track record. With the success of former Sooners like CeeDee Lamb, Hollywood Brown, and Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma has built a brand synonymous with elite receiver play.
Under offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby (before his departure to Mississippi State) and now under Seth Littrell, the Sooners have continued to run a vertical offense that thrives on big-play receivers. Quarterback Jackson Arnold, a former five-star himself, was also a key part of the pitch.
“There’s no better quarterback-wideout duo in the making than Arnold and Benson,” one OU staffer told a local outlet. “Malik knows he’s walking into a system designed for players like him to thrive immediately.”
Beyond the on-field product, Benson was impressed by Oklahoma’s receiver-friendly culture, NIL opportunities, and infrastructure. The Sooner program has invested heavily in player development and branding, and that resonated deeply with Benson and his family.
The Tigers now face an uphill battle to stabilize a recruiting class that was once trending upward. Benson was the crown jewel of Auburn’s offensive commitments, and his exit creates both a talent and perception void. While Hugh Freeze is known as a capable recruiter, losing a top-tier wideout this late in the process could have a ripple effect on other top targets.
Freeze, speaking at a recent booster event, acknowledged the challenges of modern recruiting. “It’s a different game today,” he said. “The portal, NIL, constant changes—kids have every right to make the decision that’s best for them. We’ll continue to work and adapt.”
Auburn fans, however, are expressing growing frustration. Many had hoped Benson’s commitment signaled a turning point in rebuilding Auburn’s offense. With him gone, the urgency to land another big-time wide receiver—possibly through the portal—has never been greater.
While Oklahoma came out on top, both Notre Dame and Tennessee made compelling cases in the final stretch. The Irish emphasized their academic prestige and NFL pipeline under Marcus Freeman. Tennessee, meanwhile, pitched Benson on joining a high-octane offense led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
According to recruiting insiders, Tennessee finished a close third, with Benson taking an unofficial visit to Knoxville just two weeks before the flip. Notre Dame’s push was primarily led by receivers coach Chansi Stuckey, who had maintained strong communication with Benson’s camp.
In the end, neither could overcome Oklahoma’s late surge and Benson’s growing affinity for playing in the SEC under the bright lights of Norman.
As expected, the reaction on social media was immediate and intense.
- “Oklahoma WRU just got another weapon. Arnold to Benson is about to break scoreboards,” one fan posted.
- Auburn faithful, however, were less than thrilled: “Another 5-star down the drain. Freeze better have a plan B—and fast.”
- College football analysts praised Oklahoma’s recruiting staff, with 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong calling it “one of the biggest flips of the cycle so far.”
Benson himself issued a brief statement:
“This was not an easy decision. I have great respect for Auburn, Coach Freeze, and everything they’ve done for me. But after careful prayer and discussion with my family, I feel Oklahoma is the best fit for my future. Boomer Sooner.”
With his recruitment officially over, Benson plans to early enroll at Oklahoma in January 2026. That will give him a full spring to acclimate to the system, build chemistry with Jackson Arnold, and begin what many expect to be a standout college career.
While the path has been anything but predictable, Benson’s flip signals something bigger: Oklahoma is ready to compete at the highest level in the SEC. And with elite recruits like Benson buying in, the Sooners are building a roster that may soon rival the likes of Alabama and Georgia in both talent and depth.
College football recruiting is as much about timing and relationships as it is talent, and Oklahoma executed a textbook late-stage flip in securing Malik Benson Jr. While Auburn regroups and Notre Dame and Tennessee return to the drawing board, Brent Venables and the Sooners have landed a cornerstone player.
The SEC is about to get a first-hand look at just how impactful a five-star wideout can be when paired with the right quarterback and system. And Malik Benson Jr. isn’t just flipping commitments—he’s flipping the narrative around Oklahoma football.
