Sooner Nation can breathe a collective sigh of relief as the winter transfer portal window has officially closed for Oklahoma, at least for the time being. With the portal now shut until it reopens in April, the immediate concerns of losing more talent have subsided. As of Wednesday night, players had their last chance to submit transfer paperwork, and the university had 48 hours to finalize the transfer process. With the deadline passed, Oklahoma can now focus on roster stability as they prepare for the next season.
During this winter portal window, Oklahoma saw significant roster turnover. A total of 27 players entered the transfer portal, with 18 of them being offensive players and nine on defense. While the sheer number of players leaving might seem large, the reality is that many of these players were either not contributing significantly or were encouraged to find new opportunities due to looming roster limitations. Sooner head coach Brent Venables had already stated before the end of the season that certain roster cuts would be necessary, and the winter portal window allowed those moves to happen.
The Transfers: Key Departures
Offensive Departures:
A few key offensive players departed during the winter transfer window, with wide receivers being the most impacted group. Oklahoma lost six wide receivers, all of whom had seen varying degrees of playing time during their careers. Among the most notable departures was Jackson Arnold, a starting quarterback for the Sooners in 2024. Arnold, who started nine games this season, announced he was transferring to Auburn. While the loss of Arnold could have been concerning, Oklahoma quickly moved to replace him with John Mateer from Washington State. Mateer, who was ranked as the No. 1 available player in the transfer portal, is expected to take over at quarterback and provide stability at the position.
Wide receivers Jaquaize Pettaway (East Carolina), Nic Anderson (LSU), and J.J. Hester (Kentucky) also left the program. Jalil Farooq, another receiver who had made contributions in the past, transferred to Maryland. While this is a blow to the Sooners’ depth at the position, Oklahoma made strides to address this with four new wide receiver additions to help replenish the group.
The running back room also saw departures, with Kalib Hicks (Oklahoma State) and Emeka Megwa (TBA) transferring out of the program. While their absences will be felt, the Sooners appear to have a strong foundation in the running back position and likely will use the incoming portal additions to bolster the group.
Defensive Departures:
On the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma also experienced several departures. Kani Walker (Arkansas) and Makari Vickers (Colorado), both defensive backs, left the program, which could potentially hurt the Sooners’ depth in the secondary. Both players were expected to play important roles in the defense’s future, so their transfers present challenges in terms of rebuilding that position group.
Additionally, linebackers Lewis Carter (UCF) and Dasan McCullough (Nebraska) also entered the transfer portal. Carter and McCullough were significant pieces in the linebacker rotation, and their departures further complicate depth at the position. The Sooners now have to focus on both developing new talent and possibly adding players from the transfer portal to fill those holes.
Other notable defensive losses include Jayden Rowe (Kansas State), Phil Picciotti (UCF), and Mykel Patterson-McDonald (TBA), all of whom contributed in varying capacities on the defense. While their losses are substantial, Oklahoma’s defensive coaching staff will work to develop young players and add depth where needed.
Counteracting the Losses: Transfers In
While losing 27 players is a challenge, Oklahoma’s coaching staff worked diligently to counteract these departures by adding 14 new players from the transfer portal. The Sooners brought in 10 offensive players, two defensive players, and two specialists, which is a strong effort to keep the roster balanced and competitive for the 2025 season.
The biggest addition to the offense was John Mateer, the quarterback from Washington State who was the No. 1 ranked player in the transfer portal. With Arnold’s departure, Mateer provides Oklahoma with an experienced signal-caller who can step into the starting role and provide leadership. His addition should stabilize the quarterback position and allow for continued development of the offense under offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby.
Along with Mateer, the Sooners brought in four wide receivers to replenish a depleted position group. These players are expected to add depth and competition to the wide receiver room, and with new quarterback leadership, they should be able to contribute immediately. The incoming wide receivers bring speed, route-running ability, and playmaking potential to the group, and they will be crucial in helping the passing attack regain its explosiveness.
Additionally, Oklahoma strengthened its offensive line with two new additions from the transfer portal. Joshua Bates (SMU) and Geirean Hatchett (Washington) bring valuable experience and depth to an offensive line that will need to protect the new quarterback and create running lanes for the running backs. These additions provide stability to the front five and allow Oklahoma to continue building a well-rounded offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Sooners added Marvin Jones Jr., a transfer from Florida State, and Kendal Daniels from Oklahoma State. These two players will help bolster the defensive front and add much-needed depth to a defense that was already a strong suit for the team in 2024. Jones Jr. brings significant pass-rushing potential, while Daniels adds physicality and coverage ability to the secondary.
The Road Ahead
Oklahoma’s roster turnover presents both challenges and opportunities. The Sooners lost key players in several positions, including quarterback, wide receiver, and linebacker, but they have also made solid additions to counteract these losses. With the new players from the transfer portal, Oklahoma is in a position to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond.
The coaching staff, led by Brent Venables, will have their work cut out for them as they work to integrate the new players into the system and develop the younger talent already on the roster. With strong leadership from returning players and the addition of proven talent, the Sooners should be poised to maintain their place as one of the top teams in the country.
While the transfer portal window may have closed for now, the landscape of college football is always evolving. The Sooners’ ability to adapt to changes and maintain roster depth will be key as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season. The offseason work, both in the portal and on the practice field, will determine whether Oklahoma can continue its ascent in the SEC and remain a contender for the College Football Playoff.
