Oklahoma Sooners Lose Top Playmakers Bauer Sharp and Another Key Weapon to Transfer Portal After 2024 Football Season Ends

The Oklahoma Sooners’ offseason took a hit with the loss of two significant contributors to the transfer portal, sending a jolt through a fanbase eager to see Brent Venables’ squad capitalize on SEC momentum. Among those departing is Bauer Sharp, a versatile offensive chess piece and arguably the Sooners’ most dynamic playmaker during the 2024 season. His exit — paired with another key contributor’s decision to seek opportunities elsewhere — leaves notable gaps on both sides of the ball heading into 2025, and raises questions about depth, development, and the program’s evolving identity.

Sharp, who initially came to Norman as a three-star dual-threat quarterback out of Louisiana, evolved into much more than a passer. By 2024, he had become one of the most unique weapons in college football — lining up at tight end, H-back, slot receiver, and even taking direct snaps in red zone packages. His football IQ, physicality, and fluid athleticism made him an ideal fit for the Sooners’ creative playbook, especially as Oklahoma began its transition into the demanding landscape of the SEC.

In what turned out to be his breakout campaign, Sharp tallied 47 catches for 561 yards and 6 touchdowns, while also rushing for 112 yards and another score. His presence helped steady a young offense that underwent a complete overhaul after the 2023 campaign. As a hybrid who could exploit mismatches against linebackers and safeties, Sharp was a reliable third-down option and a locker room tone-setter, earning praise from both Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle for his leadership and preparation.

When Sharp’s name appeared in the portal shortly after the 2024 season concluded, the news stunned not only fans but also some inside the program. While there were whispers throughout the season about his increasing national profile and potential for a larger offensive role elsewhere, few expected him to leave before completing what many believed would be an All-SEC caliber senior year in Norman. Early reports suggest that Sharp has received contact from multiple top-tier programs, including a handful of blue bloods and SEC rivals, and that he could thrive in a system that uses tight ends more heavily as primary targets.

Sharp’s departure is particularly painful for Oklahoma not only because of his production, but because of what he represented — a developmental success story that fit perfectly into the Sooners’ new-age offense. He was a culture guy. A grinder. A converted quarterback who bought in fully, developed steadily, and emerged as a trusted weapon in the toughest conference in college football.

The second departure, while garnering less national attention, is no less significant. Though the player’s identity has not yet been confirmed by the university, multiple sources close to the program have indicated that a starting-caliber defensive back also entered the portal within hours of Sharp’s decision. That defender — known for his physicality in coverage and ability to play both safety and nickel corner — was expected to be a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s revamped secondary in 2025. Losing him leaves a void in a unit that already struggled to contain explosive passing attacks late in the season.

Together, the two departures represent a dual blow: one on offense, one on defense. And while Oklahoma’s staff has shown an aggressive approach in using the portal to bring in replacements, this scenario highlights the ongoing reality of modern college football — roster turnover is constant, and managing it well is now a defining trait of successful programs.

It’s also a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift. Just weeks ago, Oklahoma was riding a wave of optimism. Despite finishing 9-4 in their SEC debut, the Sooners were named among Phil Steele’s nine legitimate title contenders for 2025. Arbuckle’s offensive vision and the incoming transfer of quarterback John Mateer from Washington State gave fans hope that the Sooners had found their answer under center. And with a top-10 recruiting class headlined by explosive skill talent, the future felt loaded with promise.

But for every step forward in the SEC, there’s a counterpunch. Other programs are watching. Other coaches are circling. And in the era of NIL-fueled mobility, no player is off-limits — even those deeply ingrained in a program’s culture. That’s the hard lesson Oklahoma is learning now.

Still, optimism isn’t completely lost in Norman. The coaching staff has made it clear that the transfer portal cuts both ways — for every talented player who leaves, there’s another elite athlete entering the program. Just last week, Oklahoma added two 4-star defenders from the portal and secured a commitment from one of the nation’s top junior college linemen. Arbuckle is also expected to retool the offense to emphasize speed and spread principles, allowing Oklahoma’s younger tight ends and wideouts to step into larger roles.

For those inside the locker room, the message is one of resilience. Brent Venables, known for his fiery leadership and no-nonsense culture, addressed the team shortly after Sharp’s announcement, reminding them that Oklahoma’s standard doesn’t change for anyone. “We don’t blink,” Venables reportedly told players. “We reload.”

And reload they must. The Sooners are expected to be a preseason top-10 team with College Football Playoff aspirations. That goal is still within reach, but the pathway is now more complicated. The offense must replace Sharp’s production, versatility, and leadership. The defense must rework a secondary that just lost one of its most experienced voices. And the program as a whole must brace for more movement — because in this era, no offseason is ever truly quiet.

As Oklahoma fans process the news, the emotional sting of losing a homegrown star like Bauer Sharp is undeniable. He was the kind of player fans love to root for: blue-collar, versatile, and dependable. His story — from underrecruited quarterback to one of the SEC’s most intriguing playmakers — was a testament to hard work and buy-in. That story now moves elsewhere.

But perhaps that’s also part of the new norm. In today’s game, where the transfer portal reshapes rosters faster than ever before, loyalty isn’t measured solely by years of service. Sometimes, it’s the impact a player makes while he’s there. And by that standard, Bauer Sharp left a legacy in Norman — one that future Sooners will be challenged to follow.

Now, the focus shifts. The 2025 season looms. The SEC schedule is brutal. The Red River Rivalry is always a war. And if Oklahoma hopes to finally break through and earn a spot in the expanded playoff, it will have to do so without two of the key weapons that helped the Sooners take their first steps in the SEC jungle.

It’s a test. One Venables and company say they’re ready for. But they’ll have to prove it, one game — and one replacement — at a time.