How Livingstone, Harris & Kreul Rank Among College Football's Top Newcomers

ESPN’s Billy Tucker dropped his Top 100 newcomers for the 2026 college football season, and Oklahoma came away with three players on the list.

That’s a solid showing for the Sooners with players from both the transfer portal and their high school recruiting class.

Parker Livingstone checked in at No. 34, Trell Harris at No. 42, and edge rusher Jake Kreul came in at No. 66.

Starting with Parker Livingstone at No. 34, Tucker had this to say: "With quarterback John Mateer returning, Oklahoma needed experienced targets to replenish lost production after Deion Burks, Jaren Kanak and Keontez Lewis departed for the NFL. While Isaiah Sategna III returns as a reliable option, Livingstone, who transferred from Texas, is expected to become an important target in the passing game this fall."

On the value side, Tucker continued: "While Sategna brings elite speed, Livingstone gives the Sooners size at 6-4 and 191 pounds. He led Texas receivers in yards per catch last season at 17.8... He projects as a strong complementary receiver opposite Sategna and a reliable target for Mateer."

This is exactly what OU has been missing.

Livingstone’s size and ability to win contested catches should make him a legit red zone threat.

Pair him with Sategna’s speed and you’ve got a duo that can stretch the field and give Mateer legitimate big-play ability downfield.

This transfer looks like a really smart get.

Coming in at No. 42 was Trell Harris. Tucker wrote:"After landing one of the most coveted players in last year's transfer portal cycle in Mateer, Oklahoma continues to build around its talented QB by adding more options at receiver... Harris, a Virginia transfer, helps address those deficiencies and a void on the perimeter with plug-and-play skill set."

Tucker added: "Harris led an ACC championship game team at Virginia with 847 receiving yards. His top-end speed shows up on film, giving him a vertical presence... This fall, he should bring significant value as another playmaking target for Mateer."

Harris feels like the second coming of Deion Burks.

He’s got that slot versatility, crisp route running, and the ability to make people miss after the catch.

He brings a different skill set than Sategna and Livingstone, which should make this receiving room much harder to defend.

Then there’s Jake Kreul at No. 66. Tucker noted: "Oklahoma returns Taylor Wein, Danny Okoye and Adepoju Adebawore this fall, but the Sooners still have to replace second-round NFL draft pick R Mason Thomas. An early enrollee five-star true freshman, Kreul most closely mirrors what Thomas brought to the defense..."

He added: "Kreul has a multitude of pass-rush moves and a high football IQ... His speed off the edge is one of his strongest traits, and he can also convert speed to power effectively in his pass rush. Kreul is looking to carve out a role in Norman after turning heads this spring..."

Don’t sleep on this kid just because he’s a true freshman. He’s got the tools to contribute right away.

With defenses keying in on David Stone and Taylor Wein inside, Kreul should find opportunities to rush the passer off the edge.

You can never have too many good pass rushers.

Overall, landing three newcomers in the top 100 is a positive for Brent Venables and staff. These guys address real needs, especially at receiver, and should help the offense take a step forward. This is shaping up to be the best offense Oklahoma has had in the Venables' era.

It’s still early, but the talent influx around Mateer looks promising.