The NCAA Transfer Portal has revolutionized the college football landscape, offering players the opportunity to move between programs more freely than ever before. For programs like the Oklahoma Sooners, navigating the portal effectively is essential for maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly changing recruiting and player development environment. As we approach the Spring Transfer Window, it is crucial to assess the Sooners’ roster and identify areas that need to be addressed through the portal.
Oklahoma has a rich football tradition and is typically a national contender. The Sooners have been known for their potent offense, disciplined defense, and ability to attract top talent. However, as with any program, there are always areas for improvement, and the transfer portal provides an opportunity to bolster the roster without relying solely on high school recruits. In this piece, we will break down the Sooners’ needs across several key positions and evaluate where they could potentially find immediate impact players through the portal.
1. Quarterback – A Key Position of Uncertainty
The quarterback position at Oklahoma has been a revolving door in recent years, particularly after the departure of Heisman-winning quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. With the Sooners transitioning to the Brent Venables era and shifting to a more defensive-minded approach, the quarterback position still remains one of the biggest areas of uncertainty.
Current Situation: Oklahoma returns Dillon Gabriel, who transferred from UCF ahead of the 2022 season, and the sophomore QB has shown flashes of brilliance, though inconsistencies have surfaced. Gabriel’s play was up-and-down in 2023, and Oklahoma may want to add more depth at the position. The Sooners have also brought in a promising true freshman, but it would be wise for them to explore the transfer portal for a more proven signal-caller who could either compete for the starting job or provide solid depth.
Transfer Portal Target Areas:
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Proven Starter or High-Upside Backup: The Sooners would ideally want a quarterback who has already experienced significant playing time at the collegiate level. A dual-threat quarterback with mobility and the ability to push the ball down the field would fit well within Oklahoma’s offensive system.
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Competition for Gabriel: A player who can push Dillon Gabriel for the starting job would be ideal. Competition at the quarterback position can foster improvement in both players, benefiting the program as a whole.
2. Wide Receiver – Finding Playmakers
Oklahoma has had a rich tradition of elite wide receivers, with players like CeeDee Lamb, Hollywood Brown, and others making their mark on the program. However, the Sooners have experienced a bit of a dip in their receiving corps in recent seasons. While there is talent on the roster, including players like Marvin Mims, who declared for the NFL Draft in 2024, the Sooners need additional playmakers to help diversify their offense.
Current Situation: The Sooners have a few solid receivers, but they are still lacking a true No. 1 target who can consistently stretch the field and create mismatches. Oklahoma will need to find someone who can not only be a reliable possession receiver but also someone who can take the top off the defense.
Transfer Portal Target Areas:
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Elite Speed and Vertical Threat: Oklahoma’s offense thrives on big plays, and they would benefit from adding a receiver who can consistently beat defensive backs deep. A player with the ability to turn short routes into long gains would be valuable in the Sooners’ system.
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Possession Receiver: The Sooners would also benefit from adding a reliable possession receiver who can operate in the intermediate-to-short passing game, particularly in situations like third downs or red zone opportunities.
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Slot Option: A player who can work out of the slot and create mismatches with linebackers or smaller corners would complement the current receivers on the roster.
3. Offensive Line – Depth and Protection
The offensive line is the backbone of any successful offensive system, and while Oklahoma has traditionally fielded strong O-lines, they face some critical needs heading into the 2024 season. The Sooners need both depth and talent at the position to protect the quarterback and open running lanes for the offense.
Current Situation: While the Sooners have some strong pieces on their offensive line, they need to replace key starters who have either graduated or declared for the NFL Draft. Injuries also plagued the offensive line in 2023, limiting depth and consistency. Oklahoma’s offensive line will be critical in both protecting the quarterback and establishing a consistent running game, and they’ll need to add more bodies and depth through the portal.
Transfer Portal Target Areas:
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Experienced Starter: A veteran lineman with multiple years of starting experience could come in and immediately make an impact. Ideally, the Sooners would target a versatile lineman who can play both tackle and guard, providing insurance for multiple positions.
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Tackle Depth: Oklahoma has traditionally had strong tackles, and given the importance of the position in protecting the quarterback’s blindside, they will need to target high-caliber tackle prospects.
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Guard and Center: In addition to tackles, the Sooners will need to address potential weaknesses at guard and center. Adding a strong interior lineman would be important for bolstering both the pass protection and run blocking units.
4. Linebacker – Defensive Reinforcements
Under head coach Brent Venables, Oklahoma is transitioning to a more defensive-oriented approach. One of the key areas for improvement is at linebacker, where the Sooners have struggled in recent years. Although the Sooners have a few solid players at the position, they are still lacking elite playmakers who can dominate at the second level of the defense.
Current Situation: Oklahoma’s linebacker corps is in transition, with some younger players being groomed for larger roles. The Sooners are in need of a player who can contribute immediately and provide leadership. They need linebackers who can defend against the run, cover in space, and make plays in the passing game.
Transfer Portal Target Areas:
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Sideline-to-Sideline Presence: Oklahoma would benefit from adding a linebacker with the ability to cover ground quickly and make plays on both sides of the field. A player with sideline-to-sideline range and strong coverage skills would fit well within Venables’ defensive scheme.
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Run-Stopping Ability: The Sooners could also use a thumping linebacker who excels in stopping the run, especially given the physical nature of the Big 12. A player with excellent vision and the ability to read plays quickly would add toughness to the defense.
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Pass Coverage Ability: Another key area of focus for Oklahoma is improving the linebackers’ ability to cover in space, particularly in pass coverage against tight ends, running backs, and even wide receivers.
5. Defensive Line – Depth and Pass Rush
Oklahoma has long been known for its ability to rush the quarterback, and that tradition is one that they need to continue building on in order to compete for championships. The Sooners need to add depth to their defensive line to ensure they can rotate fresh bodies and put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Current Situation: While Oklahoma has some talented defensive linemen, the Sooners are in need of more depth, particularly at defensive tackle. They also need to find another edge rusher who can provide consistent pressure on the quarterback, as this is crucial for success in the Big 12 and beyond.
Transfer Portal Target Areas:
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Edge Rusher: A dynamic pass rusher capable of wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks would elevate the defensive line and provide a necessary complement to the existing talent.
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Interior Defensive Line: Oklahoma needs depth along the interior of the defensive line, especially to help with stopping the run. Adding a powerful, disruptive defensive tackle would allow the Sooners to better control the line of scrimmage.
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Versatile Defensive Linemen: The Sooners could benefit from a defensive lineman who is capable of playing multiple positions, including both defensive end and defensive tackle, offering flexibility in terms of rotations and matchups.
6. Cornerback – Secondary Depth and Playmaking
The secondary is one of the most important positions in today’s high-powered college football landscape, and Oklahoma has historically been strong in this area. However, with the departure of key contributors, the Sooners will need to rebuild their cornerback depth.
Current Situation: Oklahoma returns some solid cornerbacks, but the team needs to add more talent to the position group, particularly with an eye on depth and playmaking ability. The Sooners need a corner who can make interceptions and break up passes, as well as a player who can lock down opposing receivers.
Transfer Portal Target Areas:
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Ball Skills and Coverage Ability: Oklahoma would benefit from adding a cornerback with strong ball skills and the ability to win in one-on-one coverage. A corner who can take away a side of the field would complement their defensive scheme.
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Slot Corner: A slot corner who excels in defending shorter routes and has the agility to handle quick, shifty receivers would add depth to the secondary and improve the defense against spread offenses.
As Oklahoma continues to transition under Brent Venables’ leadership, the Sooners face significant needs in the transfer portal as they look to bolster their roster ahead of the 2024 season. From quarterback to wide receiver, offensive line to defensive depth, Oklahoma will need to use the portal strategically to address areas of weakness and position themselves for success in the coming seasons. By adding proven talent and players with immediate eligibility, the Sooners can stay competitive in a rapidly evolving college football landscape.
