The Oklahoma Sooners have bolstered their special teams unit by signing kicker Tate Sandell from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) via the transfer portal. This move addresses a critical need following the graduation of kickers Zach Schmit and Tyler Keltner.
🏈 Background and Career at UTSA
Tate Sandell, a native of Port Neches, Texas, began his collegiate career at UTSA in 2022. After redshirting his freshman year, he became the primary kickoff specialist in 2023, setting a school record with 42 touchbacks. In 2024, Sandell took over place-kicking duties, making 16 of 20 field goals (80%) and 31 of 32 extra points (96.9%) over 12 games. He also set a UTSA single-season record with 62 touchbacks .
One of his standout performances came in November 2024, when he was named the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after making all four of his field-goal attempts and all four extra-point tries in a victory over North Texas .
🎯 Why Oklahoma Needed Sandell
The Sooners faced uncertainty at the kicker position following the departure of Schmit and Keltner. Despite bringing in Kennesaw State transfer Austin Welch earlier in the year, neither Welch nor freshman Liam Evans emerged as a reliable option during spring practices. Head coach Brent Venables acknowledged the inconsistency, stating, “Had some windy conditions out there today, that’s good because we know it’s going to blow… so you gotta be able to kick in whatever conditions there are” .
Sandell’s proven track record and ability to perform under pressure made him an attractive addition to the team.
🔍 What Sandell Brings to Norman
Sandell’s statistics from the 2024 season highlight his potential impact at Oklahoma:
- Field Goals: 16-of-20 (80%)
- Extra Points: 31-of-32 (96.9%)
- Longest Field Goal: 54 yards
- Touchbacks: 62 (single-season school record)
His ability to perform under pressure and his consistency in both field goals and extra points will be valuable assets to the Sooners’ special teams unit.
🔮 Looking Ahead
With Sandell’s signing, Oklahoma aims to solidify its kicking game and provide stability to the special teams unit. His experience and performance at UTSA suggest he will be a valuable contributor to the Sooners in the upcoming season.
As the Sooners continue to build their roster through the transfer portal, fans can expect further developments aimed at strengthening the team in preparation for the challenges of the 2025 season.
