The transfer portal has been one of the most impactful features of modern college football, allowing programs to reshape their rosters with key additions from players seeking new opportunities. For the Oklahoma Sooners, a team that has consistently been a top-tier program, the transfer portal could be a major asset moving forward. With the departure of head coach Lincoln Riley to USC in 2021 and the subsequent transition under head coach Brent Venables, Oklahoma has been actively involved in the transfer portal in an effort to bolster its roster. While the Sooners’ current season has been a mixed bag, insiders are predicting great things for Oklahoma in the transfer portal. This has led many to wonder: is the Sooners’ future in college football bright again, or have their best days passed?
Oklahoma’s Transfer Portal Strategy Under Brent Venables
When Brent Venables took over as head coach at Oklahoma, there was a sense of cautious optimism. Venables, known for his success as a defensive coordinator, especially at Clemson, brought a new energy to Norman. While offensive talent was a key focus in the previous years under Riley, Venables made it clear that he was committed to building a well-rounded, physical team. One area that has been pivotal in this process is the transfer portal, which has allowed Oklahoma to fill gaps in its roster and compete at a high level in the ultra-competitive Big 12 and, soon, the SEC.
Venables has been active in both recruiting high school talent and acquiring players from the portal. The key difference now is that Oklahoma has become more strategic in its use of the transfer portal, with a focus on improving both the offense and defense. The Sooners have found success in acquiring experienced players, especially on the defensive side, which has long been seen as a weakness of the program, especially in comparison to the high-flying offenses of the Big 12.
Defensive Improvements Through the Portal
One of the biggest criticisms of Oklahoma football over the last decade has been the program’s inability to consistently field a strong defense. The Sooners have often had explosive offenses capable of putting up big numbers, but their defense has struggled to match the same level of intensity. Under Venables, however, there has been a marked shift in focus. He has used the transfer portal to acquire veteran defensive players who can come in and contribute immediately.
In particular, Oklahoma has looked to add playmakers in the secondary and the defensive line. These are areas where the Sooners needed to upgrade to compete with top-tier offenses and secure big wins. The addition of players with experience at other Power Five programs has brought more stability and leadership to a defense that had been inconsistent in recent years.
Oklahoma’s use of the portal to acquire seasoned defensive players has shown immediate returns. Players such as linebacker Dasan McCullough and defensive back Gentry Williams, both highly touted transfers, have provided much-needed depth and leadership to the defensive side of the ball. The Sooners’ defense has seen marked improvement in their ability to pressure the quarterback and shut down opposing offenses, setting the stage for future dominance on that side of the ball.
Offensive Boost Through the Transfer Portal
While the defense is a focal point, Oklahoma has also addressed offensive needs through the portal. Despite its strong offensive reputation in recent years, the Sooners have faced struggles at the quarterback position and along the offensive line. For a program that has produced quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, these struggles were a cause for concern.
To address these needs, Venables has been aggressive in acquiring experienced offensive linemen and quarterbacks. The arrival of quarterbacks from the transfer portal, such as Dillon Gabriel from UCF, has helped stabilize the offense. Gabriel, with his experience as a proven starter, has been a key leader for the Sooners, providing both experience and talent at the quarterback position. His ability to execute Oklahoma’s offensive scheme has been a significant asset, especially in the high-pressure environment of Big 12 play.
Additionally, Venables has sought to solidify the offensive line through the portal. The offensive line is the backbone of any successful offense, and Oklahoma has been working hard to upgrade its depth and experience along the line. Transfers like Troy Everett from Louisiana and Jacob Sexton from Duke have brought maturity and added talent to the line, giving Gabriel more time to throw and the running backs better opportunities to find holes in opposing defenses.
Biggest Transfer Portal Needs for Oklahoma
While Oklahoma has made great strides in addressing its key areas of need through the transfer portal, there are still a few critical positions that Venables and the coaching staff must focus on going forward. The first and most pressing need is at wide receiver. While the Sooners have a solid group of receivers, they lack a true game-breaking talent who can take the top off the defense and consistently make explosive plays.
To address this gap, insiders predict that Oklahoma will target top wide receivers in the portal. The Sooners are already a high-powered offense with Gabriel at quarterback, and adding a top-tier wide receiver could give them the firepower to challenge any defense in the country. With the move to the SEC on the horizon, adding dynamic playmakers at the receiver position is essential for maintaining their status as a national title contender.
Another area where the Sooners are likely to target players in the portal is at linebacker. While Oklahoma has made significant improvements defensively, linebacker remains a position where depth is necessary. The Sooners need to continue adding talent to ensure that they can compete against the heavy, physical offenses they will face, particularly in the SEC. Adding transfers with experience and playmaking ability at linebacker will be key to solidifying the defense in the long run.
Looking to the Future: Can Oklahoma Compete at a High Level?
With Oklahoma’s use of the transfer portal and the talent they’ve acquired, the question remains: Can the Sooners compete at a high level going forward, especially as they prepare to move to the SEC? While the Sooners are still in the process of building their program under Venables, the pieces are in place for a potential resurgence.
The addition of transfer players has already helped Oklahoma become more competitive on both sides of the ball. The defense is stronger and more reliable, and the offense remains explosive. While the Sooners have their work cut out for them in the SEC, their use of the portal to bring in talent shows that they are more than capable of competing with the best programs in college football.
In conclusion, insiders are optimistic about the future of Oklahoma football due to the program’s strategic use of the transfer portal. With immediate contributors on both offense and defense, the Sooners have positioned themselves to remain competitive at the highest level. While there are still areas to address, the transfer portal has proven to be a valuable tool for the Sooners’ continued success. The question now is whether Oklahoma can build on this momentum and compete for a national championship, both in the Big 12 and in the SEC. Based on their recent moves, it seems that the Sooners are poised for a bright future ahead.
