Oklahoma Sooners 2024 Transfer Portal Position Rankings Reveal Brent Venables’ Most Strategic Additions for Big 12 to SEC Transition

The 2024 college football offseason has seen unprecedented transfer portal movement, and few programs have navigated it more deliberately than the Oklahoma Sooners. With Brent Venables preparing his squad for their inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference, every roster move carries heightened importance. For Oklahoma, competing in the SEC demands not only talent but depth, versatility, and battle-tested experience — areas where the transfer portal has been pivotal.

While the Sooners have historically leaned on high school recruiting to build their foundation, 2024 marked a clear evolution in strategy. Venables and his staff aggressively pursued transfer talent to address key positional gaps, bolster depth, and inject immediate playmaking ability into a roster expected to contend right away in their SEC debut.

Here’s how Oklahoma’s 2024 transfer portal class stacks up, position by position, based on impact potential, talent acquisition, and how seamlessly the newcomers fit the Sooners’ system:

Quarterback: B+
The Sooners’ quarterback room entered 2024 with high expectations but lacked experienced depth behind presumed starter Jackson Arnold. The addition of former Arizona State quarterback Bennett Meredith addressed that concern. While Meredith isn’t expected to unseat Arnold, his maturity, arm talent, and understanding of big-stage football elevate the room’s overall floor. Meredith provides invaluable insurance should injuries or inconsistencies arise, and his leadership has already earned praise from the locker room.

Running Back: B
Running back wasn’t a glaring weakness entering the offseason, but with injuries and attrition always a factor, depth remains critical. The Sooners secured former UNLV standout Courtney Reese, whose speed and agility out of the backfield bring a change-of-pace option. Reese’s production in the Mountain West showcased his explosiveness, and his ability to contribute on special teams adds value. He may not be the featured back, but in the SEC grind, every capable ball carrier matters.

Wide Receiver: A-
Oklahoma made one of its most high-upside portal acquisitions at receiver, landing Michigan State’s Montorie Foster. The 6-foot-3 target brings size, reliable hands, and Big Ten experience to an offense that thrives on vertical threats. With the departure of key receivers from 2023, Foster slides into a prime opportunity to contribute immediately. His chemistry with Arnold has been developing throughout spring practices, and his contested catch ability is expected to be a major red-zone asset.

Tight End: B-
The tight end position saw modest reinforcement with the arrival of Colorado State transfer Tanner Arkin. Known more for his blocking prowess than dynamic receiving, Arkin provides grit and physicality at the line of scrimmage — traits that align with Venables’ emphasis on toughness. While not a flashy addition, Arkin solidifies the position group and offers a dependable option in heavy personnel packages.

Offensive Line: A
Perhaps the most critical area of emphasis was fortifying the offensive line, and Oklahoma delivered in that department. Headlining the incoming group is former USC tackle Mason Murphy, whose SEC-ready frame and Pac-12 starting experience fill a massive need. Murphy brings versatility, capable of playing both tackle spots, and his athleticism fits the Sooners’ up-tempo offensive style. In addition, interior lineman Ka’Ron Calhoun from Georgia Tech adds depth and strength to the trenches, ensuring Oklahoma can rotate quality bodies throughout SEC battles.

Defensive Line: A+
Venables has built his reputation on dominant defenses, and the defensive front was a clear portal priority. The Sooners made waves by landing defensive tackle Damonic Williams from TCU, one of the portal’s most coveted interior linemen. Williams’ disruptive presence, ability to eat double teams, and SEC-level strength instantly elevate Oklahoma’s defensive identity. He’s expected to anchor the middle alongside returning standouts, giving OU a formidable interior front for the first time in years.

Edge rusher was also bolstered with the acquisition of Karter Jones from Purdue. Jones flashed elite pass-rushing traits in the Big Ten and brings needed depth behind returning stars like R Mason Thomas. His quick first step and ability to generate pressure off the edge align with the aggressive, attacking style Venables demands.

Linebacker: B+
Oklahoma’s linebacker corps received a solid addition in Kobie McKinzie, a former Texas Tech standout with versatility to play inside or out. McKinzie’s physicality in run defense and ability to drop into coverage complement Venables’ hybrid defensive schemes. While not a headlining portal name, McKinzie’s experience and high football IQ position him as a valuable rotational piece, capable of contributing in multiple sub-packages.

Cornerback: A
The Sooners struck gold in the secondary by securing Jyaire Brown from Ohio State. A former top-100 recruit, Brown saw significant action for the Buckeyes and brings the combination of size, ball skills, and Big Ten battle scars needed to excel in the SEC. Brown’s arrival addresses both depth and top-end talent concerns at corner, where Oklahoma must contend with the SEC’s parade of elite receivers.

Joining Brown is North Texas transfer Ridge Texada, a reliable slot corner with playmaking instincts and experience. Together, they fortify a position that saw ups and downs during Oklahoma’s 2023 campaign and now profiles as a team strength.

Safety: B
At safety, the Sooners targeted depth and versatility rather than marquee additions. Former Utah safety Clayton Isbell brings length and a physical style of play that suits Venables’ aggressive defensive calls. Isbell’s special teams value also enhances his overall importance, especially in a league where field position battles can swing momentum.

Special Teams: C+
While the portal wasn’t heavily utilized for kickers or punters, Oklahoma added former Toledo punter Evan Davis. Davis brings consistent placement skills and directional punting experience but isn’t projected as a game-changer. Special teams improvements may rely more on internal development than portal upgrades this cycle.

Overall Class Grade: A-
Oklahoma’s 2024 transfer portal work reflects a calculated, need-based approach with an eye on immediate SEC readiness. Venables and his staff didn’t chase quantity for the sake of headlines; instead, they prioritized battle-tested players at premium positions. The result is a portal haul that addresses critical needs across both lines of scrimmage, upgrades the secondary, and injects experience into key offensive positions.

What makes this transfer class particularly significant is its alignment with Oklahoma’s transition timeline. With the Sooners departing the Big 12 for the SEC, 2024 isn’t a year for rebuilding — it’s about competing immediately against the conference’s elite. Portal additions like Damonic Williams, Mason Murphy, Montorie Foster, and Jyaire Brown aren’t just insurance policies; they are potential difference-makers capable of influencing outcomes against programs like Alabama, LSU, and Georgia.

Moreover, the transfer portal class complements the Sooners’ 2024 high school recruiting efforts, creating a roster blend of veteran presence and young talent. With Jackson Arnold expected to take the reins at quarterback, surrounding him with experienced linemen, receivers, and defensive reinforcements ensures Oklahoma isn’t relying solely on unproven players in its first SEC campaign.

Venables’ blueprint is clear — build from the trenches out, enhance athleticism in the secondary, and ensure every position group boasts battle-tested depth. The 2024 transfer portal additions reflect that strategy with precision.

As the Sooners gear up for the SEC gauntlet, these transfer pieces could be the difference between a promising transition and a statement season. One thing is certain: Oklahoma isn’t merely joining the SEC — they’re coming prepared, and the 2024 transfer portal rankings prove it.