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The Oklahoma Sooners enter the 2026 season with one of the most talented cornerback duos in college football. Junior Eli Bowen and sophomore Courtland Guillory both earned freshman All-American honors during their first seasons in Norman.
Guillory emerged as a key contributor last season, earning a starting role early in the year while Bowen missed time due to an injury. However, when Bowen returned, it wasn't Guillory's job he took; instead, it was on the opposite side. That was a testament to how impressive the former three-star prospect had been throughout the season.
Guillory finished the year with 41 tackles, one tackle for loss, and seven pass deflections. His performance led On3's J.D. PicKell to suggest Guillory could enter 2026 as the best defensive back in the SEC.
"The one underclassman they're going to play is Courtland Guillory, sophomore corner," PicKell said. "I've said it before, he might be the best DB in the SEC, period. Now, he has to play that way, but I have no reservations about leaving No. 4 out there on an island and letting him do his thing."
Guillory has already shown he belongs among the best young defensive backs in college football, but 2026 will provide his biggest test yet. Playing in the SEC means facing some of the best receivers in the country every week, and Guillory will have plenty of opportunities to prove that PicKell's high praise is justified.
If he continues developing alongside Bowen, Oklahoma could have one of the most difficult cornerback duos for opposing offenses to attack all season.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Analyst makes bold claim about Oklahoma's Courtland Guillory
