Examining Oklahoma’s Most Important Transfer Portal Requirements After the Winter Window
Although the Sooners have already picked up 14 commits through the transfer portal, reinforcements are still required in a few areas.
Oklahoma has suffered more loses than gains since the winter transfer portal season ended.
The Sooners have picked up 14 new players and watched 26 players from the 2024 roster join the portal thus far.
In recent days, OU has added players from strong four leagues to its class. A few days prior to receiving commitments from Oklahoma State linebacker Kendal Daniels and Florida State defensive end Marvin Jones Jr., the Sooners signed wide receiver Josiah Martin from Cal.
Oklahoma’s first defensive additions are Jones and Daniels. According to 247 Sports, Oklahoma’s portal class is currently ranked ninth in the SEC and 14th overall.
The Sooners still require assistance in the following areas:
The cornerback
Every defensive position could use reinforcements with just two defensive pledges from the transfer site, but cornerback is one that sticks out.
One starter place will be available for the Sooners next season since they will not have 2024 senior cornerback Woodi Washington or gateway departure Kani Walker. Eli Bowen, a rising sophomore, is on the other side. In 2024, he recorded 20 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and an interception.
Although the Sooners’ defense saw significant improvement in 2024, the secondary saw difficulties.
Report: An important defensive transfer from an in-state rival is acquired by Oklahoma
With 203.2 passing yards per game, OU’s passing defense ranked 43rd in the country. Additionally, the Sooners tied for 91st place in the country with an average of just 0.7 passes intercepted per game.
A safety group with a great deal of production and expertise already exists at OU. Security With four forced fumbles in 2024, Robert Spears-Jennings tied for sixth place in the country, while Peyton Bowen recorded 33 total tackles this season.
That group might be significantly strengthened by adding a ballhawk cornerback to OU’s pass defense.
The defensive tackle
With Jayden Jackson, Damonic Williams, and Gracen Halton all scheduled to return in 2025, the Sooners have a wealth of defensive line experience. In 2024, Jackson played just 387 snaps, while Williams and Halton each played more than 400.
It wouldn’t hurt the Sooners to get another pass rusher, though.
Jones, who recorded four forced fumbles and a sack in 2024, committed to the Sooners on Monday, making a big impression at the defensive end position. Jones will be paired with R Mason Thomas, who just declared that he will wait for the NFL and play for OU in 2025.
Pro Football Focus defensive grades for Williams and Halton are above 70, while Jackson’s is somewhat lower at 69.7. This indicates that that position group has a great deal of talent in addition to substantial experience in 2024.
Adding another player would further aggravate OU’s defensive line, even as everyone waits for 5-star David Stone to burst into the lineup.
Linebacker OU’s linebacker group is greatly strengthened by Daniels’ entrance via the transfer portal. However, adding another to the corps wouldn’t hurt.
Danny Stutsman, a 2024 senior and All-American, will not be playing for the Sooners. Lewis Carter and Dasan McCullough, two linebackers, were also lost to the transfer portal.
Oklahoma Transfer Portal Tracker for 2024–2025
Both Kip Lewis and Kobie McKinzie have been essential parts of OU’s defense in the past two seasons, and they ought to continue to be so in 2025. However, there isn’t much experience at the job except from Daniels and those two.
The Sooners would have one of the deepest linebacker rooms in the SEC if they added one more seasoned linebacker to their roster.
