The Oklahoma Sooners have a rich history of quarterback excellence. From Heisman Trophy winners like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Sam Bradford to current NFL starters such as Jalen Hurts and Caleb Williams (who spent his freshman season under Lincoln Riley in Norman), the Sooners have long been a cradle of quarterback development. So, when ESPN draws a comparison between the Sooners’ latest quarterback target and one of college football’s most electrifying stars—LSU’s dynamic signal-caller—it’s bound to send shockwaves throughout the recruiting world.
In a recent scouting breakdown, ESPN analysts likened Oklahoma’s top quarterback target in the 2026 recruiting class to none other than LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who has taken the SEC by storm with his swagger, arm strength, and fearless downfield aggression. The Sooners’ prized target, a five-star phenom named Jaxon Potter from Chandler, Arizona, has drawn national interest, but his growing connection with Oklahoma’s coaching staff, coupled with the explosive projection ESPN sees in him, has made the Sooners a frontrunner for his commitment.
Potter is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound quarterback with elite arm talent, polished footwork, and the rare blend of mobility and poise under pressure that recruiters drool over. ESPN’s national recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill called Potter “the most instinctive quarterback in the 2026 class,” praising his ability to extend plays, operate from multiple launch points, and make throws that few others in the country can replicate. “His style is very reminiscent of what we’ve seen from Garrett Nussmeier at LSU,” Luginbill noted. “He’s got that twitchy quickness in his feet, the courage to take shots down the field, and the ability to bounce back immediately from mistakes. He’s got some gunslinger in him—but in a way that can take over a game.”
For Oklahoma, a program in transition as it prepares to enter the SEC full-time, landing a quarterback with Nussmeier-like attributes could be transformative. Nussmeier, now entrenched as LSU’s QB1, emerged as a fearless leader with the arm to fit balls into impossibly tight windows and the moxie to handle the pressure of SEC Saturdays. After years of learning behind Jayden Daniels, Nussmeier exploded onto the national radar with his performances in late 2024, including a four-touchdown masterpiece against Florida and a comeback thriller versus Alabama. If Potter is indeed cut from the same cloth, Oklahoma fans have every reason to be excited about what the future holds.
What makes this comparison even more compelling is how Oklahoma’s offense under offensive coordinator Seth Littrell and new head coach Brent Venables is evolving. The Sooners are no longer solely reliant on the Air Raid stylings that defined the Lincoln Riley era. Instead, they’re incorporating more pro-style concepts, run-pass option layers, and downfield shots that emphasize a quarterback’s ability to make quick reads and deliver with accuracy off-platform. That’s precisely where Potter thrives.
On tape, Potter’s comfort in chaos is striking. Whether it’s spinning out of pressure and launching a 40-yard bomb on the move, or looking off a safety before throwing a laser between two defenders, his tape is littered with moments that mirror what Nussmeier has shown at LSU. Both quarterbacks share a “fearless” gene—an internal confidence to attempt what others wouldn’t dare. It’s not just raw talent; it’s the confidence and football IQ to back it up.
“He’s electric when the pocket breaks down,” Luginbill added. “He doesn’t panic. He thrives in those moments. The best quarterbacks today aren’t just tall statues in the pocket—they’re playmakers. Jaxon has that rare ability to improvise without turning reckless. That’s where the Nussmeier comp makes sense. Garrett has that magician gene, and so does Jaxon.”
Potter’s junior season at Basha High School in Arizona was nothing short of spectacular. He threw for 3,682 yards and 38 touchdowns, adding another 600 yards and 9 scores on the ground. But stats only tell part of the story. His command of the offense, his ability to adjust protections, and his leadership in the huddle have made him a rare high school quarterback who already looks ready for the next level.
Several Power Five programs, including USC, Georgia, and Oregon, have pursued Potter aggressively. But it’s the bond forming between Potter and Oklahoma that may prove decisive. He’s visited Norman twice in the last six months and has been in constant communication with Sooners quarterbacks coach Joe Jon Finley. Sources close to Potter’s recruitment say he “feels like a priority” with Oklahoma, which has made his family feel welcomed and valued. One source even indicated that Potter sees Oklahoma as the place where he could “write his own legacy.”
That legacy would likely include trying to do what Nussmeier is doing at LSU: carve out a lasting name in a loaded conference, go toe-to-toe with elite defenses, and win big-time games in primetime. Potter’s natural swagger has drawn rave reviews from scouts, some of whom believe he may be the most marketable quarterback in the class—someone with both on-field brilliance and off-field charisma that could translate into massive NIL opportunities. But unlike some high-profile recruits who chase the biggest deal, those close to Potter describe him as “fiercely competitive” and more focused on winning than personal brand.
“He’s got that edge,” one anonymous scout said. “He walks into a room and you can tell he knows he’s the guy. But he’s not arrogant—he’s just confident. That’s the same thing you hear about Nussmeier. They’re cut from the same competitive cloth. They love the game, and they want the ball in their hands when it matters most.”
Oklahoma’s quarterback room has undergone major transitions over the last few years, and while former five-star recruit Jackson Arnold remains a key figure, the Sooners are already planning for the future. With the impending challenges of the SEC looming large—games against Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Texas every season—the Sooners understand that success hinges on having a transcendent quarterback who can win shootouts and lead late-game drives under pressure.
Potter could be that quarterback. He’s projected to be an early contributor wherever he lands, and if he does choose Oklahoma, the Sooners may be getting a player who could change the face of the program’s future. With ESPN drawing such a high-level comp, the stakes are even higher. Comparisons to Nussmeier don’t come lightly—especially from evaluators who have studied both players in-depth.
There’s also a cultural fit worth noting. Potter comes from a football family—his father played college ball and now coaches at the high school level. He’s been raised around film study, discipline, and high expectations. It’s no surprise he’s drawn to programs like Oklahoma and LSU that value quarterback development, competition, and tradition. With NIL pressures, transfer portal instability, and social media attention at an all-time high, many young quarterbacks struggle with distractions. But Potter, like Nussmeier, seems to thrive under the spotlight, not shrink from it.
As Oklahoma fans anxiously await his final decision—expected later this summer—the buzz around Potter continues to build. The Sooners have made it clear that he’s their top priority at the quarterback position, and they’re doing everything in their power to land him. Whether it’s private visits, film breakdowns, or relationship-building over Zoom calls and campus meetings, the effort is relentless. And it may soon pay off.
If Jaxon Potter does commit to Oklahoma, it will signal more than just a recruiting win. It will be a statement that the Sooners are ready to compete at the highest level of the SEC with a quarterback who isn’t just talented, but who fits the mold of the new-age playmakers dominating the sport. And if ESPN’s comparison holds true, Oklahoma could be welcoming their own version of Garrett Nussmeier—a quarterback with fire in his veins, brilliance in his arm, and the heart of a champion.
