Oklahoma Sooners Impress with Strong Presence as Multiple Players Make ESPN’s Top 100 Transfer Portal Rankings for 2025 Season

The Oklahoma Sooners are no strangers to offseason headlines, and once again, they’ve made waves—this time through the transfer portal. ESPN recently unveiled its list of the top 100 players in the college football transfer portal, and the Sooners made a compelling impression. In a year when roster building through the portal has become just as vital as high school recruiting, Oklahoma demonstrated its savvy in player acquisition by landing several elite talents and also seeing a few of its own players featured prominently on the list. The list, compiled with a mix of metrics, scouting insight, and projected impact, featured seven Sooners—either incoming or outgoing—which speaks volumes about the current direction of the program under head coach Brent Venables.

Oklahoma’s presence on ESPN’s rankings comes at a pivotal time for the program. As the Sooners prepare to enter the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the level of competition and expectations are skyrocketing. Talent accumulation is crucial, and making sure the roster is equipped to handle the week-in, week-out gauntlet of the SEC means every transfer window is an opportunity the Sooners must capitalize on. That they managed to place multiple players among ESPN’s top 100 shows that they’re doing just that.

Three of the seven Sooners featured were incoming transfers, highlighting the coaching staff’s success in luring high-caliber talent to Norman. These new additions are more than just depth pieces—they’re expected to play key roles, and in some cases, immediately start. Their inclusion on ESPN’s list is an acknowledgment of both their talent and the fit they’re expected to have within Oklahoma’s schemes.

Among the most high-profile additions is wide receiver Deion Burks, who transferred in from Purdue. Ranked among the top 30 players on ESPN’s portal list, Burks brings elite speed, strong hands, and SEC-level playmaking ability that Oklahoma will need as it transitions to its new conference. His 2024 campaign at Purdue included over 600 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, numbers made more impressive when considering the struggles of Purdue’s offensive consistency. Burks’ commitment to Oklahoma gives quarterback Jackson Arnold a reliable target who can stretch the field vertically and add a dynamic component to Jeff Lebby’s offense.

Joining Burks in the top ranks is former Oregon State linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, a tackling machine who was one of the top defenders in the Pac-12 last season. His film showcases sideline-to-sideline range, leadership, and high football IQ. Ranked comfortably in ESPN’s top 50, Mascarenas-Arnold is expected to fill the void left by departing linebackers and could emerge as one of the top defensive leaders on this new-look Sooners team. His arrival in Norman is viewed as not only a win on the field but also a culture add off of it—his intensity and experience will serve as a guidepost for younger players transitioning to SEC competition.

Another notable newcomer is offensive lineman Spencer Fano, who transferred from Utah. A former top-100 high school recruit, Fano had a solid freshman campaign with the Utes, and his upside is through the roof. ESPN placed him in the top 70 of its portal rankings, reflecting his rare blend of agility, size, and long-term potential. With Oklahoma losing some key linemen to the NFL and graduation, Fano’s presence is timely and essential. The offensive line will be under constant pressure in the SEC, and having someone of Fano’s pedigree to anchor one side of the line adds a layer of security to Arnold’s blindside protection.

The other four Sooners who made ESPN’s top 100 were outgoing players—athletes who began their college careers in Norman but sought opportunities elsewhere this offseason. While it’s never easy to lose talent, Oklahoma can take solace in the fact that its development pipeline remains strong. The fact that these players are now considered top-tier transfers speaks to the program’s ability to identify and develop talent, even if they don’t always finish their careers in crimson and cream.

Defensive back Kani Walker, who transferred to Louisville, was one of the most notable outgoing Sooners on the list. A long, physical cornerback with good instincts, Walker saw limited action in Norman but showed enough in practice and during his time on the field to earn interest from Power Five programs. He fits well in Louisville’s zone-heavy scheme and is expected to compete for a starting spot in their revamped secondary. ESPN ranked him just outside the top 50, noting his upside and athleticism as the primary reasons for his high placement.

Wide receiver LV Bunkley-Shelton also made the cut. The former Arizona State transfer didn’t find a consistent role in Oklahoma’s crowded receiver room, but his route-running and strong hands remain appealing traits for a number of teams. Now at Colorado, Bunkley-Shelton reunites with Deion Sanders’ high-profile rebuild, and he’s expected to provide a veteran presence in what is still a young and evolving offense. ESPN’s analysis cited his crisp intermediate routes and ability to make tough catches over the middle as reasons why he could shine in a more defined role.

Linebacker Kobie McKinzie, who opted to head to Houston, was another surprise inclusion. McKinzie flashed at times during his two years at Oklahoma, but never quite cracked the starting rotation. Nonetheless, his athleticism and physical traits are undeniable. ESPN believes he could thrive in a system where he gets more consistent reps and a clear defensive identity. His new role at Houston gives him a chance to be a centerpiece player, and that upside earned him a place in the back half of the top 100.

Rounding out the group was defensive lineman Kelvin Gilliam, who transferred to South Florida. A former four-star recruit, Gilliam battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his time in Norman, but his frame and explosiveness remain intriguing. ESPN mentioned that if he can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a dominant force in the AAC. His transfer marks a new chapter and a chance to fulfill the promise that made him such a coveted recruit in the first place.

What this group of Sooners—both incoming and outgoing—illustrates is how dynamic and unpredictable the transfer portal has become in modern college football. For Oklahoma, the portal isn’t just about plugging holes. It’s about reshaping identities, adding instant contributors, and continuing to build a program that can contend nationally in a drastically altered landscape. With Brent Venables’ recruiting vision and the program’s SEC future now immediate, hitting on transfers is more important than ever.

Landing three players ranked in ESPN’s top 70 is no small feat, and it’s a sign that Oklahoma remains a premier destination. At the same time, the Sooners’ outgoing talent drawing significant interest across the country shows that the brand is still developing players at a high level—even if not all of them finish their careers in Norman.

As the 2025 season nears, these transfers will be scrutinized closely. Oklahoma fans will keep a watchful eye on how their new additions perform, especially in marquee matchups against SEC heavyweights. Likewise, the performances of former Sooners at their new homes will be part of the broader narrative around player development and roster management.

In total, seven Sooners featured on ESPN’s list of the top 100 transfer portal players. That mix of incoming firepower and outgoing potential underscores Oklahoma’s deep entanglement with the most transformative tool in college football’s modern era. With the SEC era dawning and expectations higher than ever, this year’s portal activity may prove to be one of the most consequential in the Sooners’ storied history.