Portal season in college football has rapidly evolved into one of the most crucial periods in the football calendar. For teams looking to improve their rosters, the portal provides opportunities to fill immediate gaps, adding experienced talent to a squad that may not have been able to meet its needs through traditional recruiting methods. The Oklahoma Sooners, a historically elite program with a rich football tradition, have found themselves navigating the challenges of both high school recruiting and the transfer portal during a period of transition. Despite some setbacks in their inaugural SEC season, the Sooners have demonstrated a renewed focus on bolstering their roster through both traditional and transfer-based methods.
Oklahoma’s transition into the Southeastern Conference (SEC) was always going to be difficult, but the Sooners have faced an uphill battle in adapting to the competitive nature of their new conference. The first year in the SEC proved to be a challenging one for head coach Brent Venables and his squad. Oklahoma finished the season with a disappointing 6-7 record, failing to meet expectations in a season that saw them not just adjust to SEC competition, but also look to find their identity following Lincoln Riley’s departure for USC.
Despite the challenges on the field, however, Oklahoma has responded positively in the recruitment and transfer portal areas. Under Venables, the Sooners had a rough start in portal season, with a slow buildup of commitments that left fans concerned. The defensive coordinator and assistant general manager positions were critical to securing talent and building a foundation for future seasons. The early losses in those key spots were a blow, but since those departures, Oklahoma has started to build some momentum and restore confidence in their recruitment and transfer efforts.
The Portal Season Shifts into High Gear
One of the most important aspects of this offseason for the Sooners has been the dramatic shift in momentum for both their recruiting class and their portal acquisitions. The team had struggled to keep up with top programs in both areas of recruitment, but that has changed in recent weeks. The Sooners have begun to catch up and even surpass some rivals in securing transfer portal talent. As the SEC’s presence grows in the Sooners’ recruiting landscape, Oklahoma is using every available avenue to strengthen their roster, and the transfer portal is playing an increasingly significant role.
The Sooners’ approach to the portal has been strategic, targeting areas of need to build depth and improve certain units. After losing several key contributors and dealing with both roster turnover and depth issues, Oklahoma turned to the portal to find experienced players who can come in and make an immediate impact. The program has focused heavily on positions that could immediately contribute, especially along the defensive line, in the secondary, and at skill positions. The idea is to plug in veteran talent that can complement a growing foundation of young recruits and help propel the Sooners into contention as they make the full adjustment to SEC play.
In recent days, Oklahoma has been sending out offers for some major transfer targets. Here is a breakdown of the key offers the Sooners have made as part of their offseason push:
Defensive Upgrades
As previously mentioned, Oklahoma has struggled defensively since Brent Venables took over. This is surprising given Venables’ reputation as a defensive guru, but the transition into the SEC has highlighted the need for improved talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Recognizing this, the Sooners are looking to build a defense that can compete in the SEC. Several offers in recent days have been focused on the defensive side of the ball, specifically in the defensive backfield and at linebacker.
Oklahoma’s defense, which has been one of their biggest points of weakness, is being addressed head-on in the portal. The Sooners have sent out offers to several players who can help strengthen their pass defense and provide more playmaking ability at the linebacker position. Adding experienced players to these critical areas could help Oklahoma improve its overall defensive play and, in turn, its ability to compete in the loaded SEC.
Offensive Weapons and Depth
The offensive side of the ball hasn’t been completely immune to adjustments either. Despite having solid quarterbacks and skill players like Marvin Mims in recent seasons, the Sooners have had to address some holes and add depth to their offensive line and wide receiver corps. In a high-powered offense, it’s important to have playmakers at every position, and Oklahoma has responded to this by extending offers to several key transfer portal targets who could help them improve in these areas.
One of the key positions for improvement is wide receiver. The Sooners have consistently been a high-scoring team under Venables, but the recent loss of several top playmakers has made this position a key target in the portal. Oklahoma’s coaching staff has identified several high-potential receivers who could come in and make an impact in 2025. With a pass-first offensive mindset, it’s essential for Oklahoma to replenish their wide receiver talent and maintain that high level of offensive production that fans have grown accustomed to over the years.
Additionally, offensive line depth is always critical for teams that want to succeed at the highest levels. Oklahoma’s offensive line was solid, but the Sooners have been looking for a few key players who could step into starting roles or provide important depth for the future. The Sooners have sent out offers to several offensive line prospects with the ability to come in and contribute right away. Bolstering the offensive line could help open up more opportunities for the offense and improve the run game, which has also been a point of emphasis for Oklahoma heading into the 2025 season.
The Importance of Relationships and Momentum
One of the most critical elements of Oklahoma’s current success in recruiting and the portal is the relationship-building that has been happening within the program. Despite a rough 2024 season, Oklahoma’s coaches, including Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, have maintained strong relationships with high school and portal recruits. The departure of key staff members may have initially put a damper on things, but the Sooners have managed to regain momentum through their persistent recruitment efforts and ability to show recruits that the program’s culture is intact.
Several of the offers that the Sooners have made recently are to recruits that have been on the radar for quite some time. The relationships between the coaching staff and these recruits were formed years ago, and Oklahoma is now capitalizing on those relationships to secure commitments. This emphasis on long-term relationship-building helps Oklahoma land some of the best available talent, whether from the portal or the high school ranks.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season
The success that Oklahoma has had in the portal, along with its growing list of high school commitments, signals that the Sooners are working hard to make up for their disappointing 2024 season. The 2025 season will be pivotal for Venables and his staff, as it will be critical for them to show the program’s direction in the SEC. If the Sooners can capitalize on their recent portal additions and continued recruiting success, they could be poised to make significant improvements and put themselves in a better position to compete in the SEC.
Ultimately, Oklahoma’s ability to reload via the portal and its continued success in high school recruiting will determine whether the Sooners can rebound in 2025 and get back to competing for championships in one of college football’s toughest conferences.
