Kendal Daniels’ decision to use the transfer portal and sign with the University of Oklahoma football team, especially after having been part of the Oklahoma State Cowboys program, represents a significant shift in the rivalry between the two teams. This move is deeply intertwined with the changing dynamics of college football, where player mobility is increasingly shaped by the transfer portal, personal motivations, and the shifting allegiances that characterize modern athletic careers. Below is a detailed exploration of why Daniels made this decision, framed within the broader context of Bedlam football, the transfer portal, and his personal journey.
1. The Bedlam Rivalry: A Brief Overview
The rivalry between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the University of Oklahoma (OU) is one of the most intense in college football. Known as Bedlam, it is steeped in decades of competition, not just on the field but also in terms of state pride, recruiting, and the battle for supremacy in the Big 12 Conference. This rivalry has historically been one-sided in favor of Oklahoma, but OSU has made significant strides in recent years, often challenging the Sooners for dominance in the state.
The Bedlam game has become symbolic not only of the regional and historical divide between the two schools but also of the fierce competition for top talent in the state of Oklahoma. The atmosphere surrounding the rivalry has always been charged, and players who commit to either school understand that the annual matchup will be the ultimate test of their mettle and a chance to prove themselves as part of that proud tradition.
2. The Transfer Portal’s Impact on College Football
The rise of the transfer portal in college football has completely transformed the landscape of the sport, allowing players to switch teams without sitting out an entire season, a rule that once existed to prevent players from transferring freely. This new system has empowered players with increased flexibility, enabling them to seek new opportunities, whether that means more playing time, a better system fit, or even a chance to play for a program with more prestigious resources.
For players like Kendal Daniels, the transfer portal provides a pathway for strategic career decisions. It allows athletes to control their destinies in ways that were not previously possible, which is especially significant for players in highly competitive programs. The portal has led to more player movement across programs, creating a more fluid and volatile recruiting environment. And for Daniels, the decision to transfer would ultimately become a key turning point in his football career.
3. Kendal Daniels at Oklahoma State: The Early Years
Before his decision to transfer, Kendal Daniels was an emerging star at Oklahoma State University. A safety with tremendous versatility and athleticism, Daniels quickly became a key contributor to OSU’s defense after arriving in Stillwater. His physicality and instincts on the field were noteworthy, helping the Cowboys maintain a formidable defense under head coach Mike Gundy. He was part of a unit that had built a reputation for toughness and discipline, which helped OSU challenge the more established programs in the Big 12.
Daniels’ success at OSU culminated in his recognition as one of the top young players in the Big 12. His presence on the field was invaluable to OSU’s defense, and he was widely regarded as a potential future star in the NFL. However, despite the program’s successes and his own personal growth, the prospect of joining a historically dominant program like OU remained an alluring idea.
4. The Decision to Transfer: Why OU?
Kendal Daniels’ decision to transfer to the University of Oklahoma in 2025 might have seemed unexpected, given his deep connection to OSU and the status he had developed within that program. However, several factors likely influenced his decision to leave the Cowboys and join the Sooners.
a) A Desire for Championships and National Prominence
One of the primary reasons many players transfer to programs like OU is the allure of championship contention. Oklahoma has been a perennial power in college football, regularly competing for Big 12 titles and national championships. Despite OSU’s progress under Gundy, they had not reached the level of sustained success that Oklahoma had achieved, with the Sooners consistently being in the mix for College Football Playoff spots.
For a player like Daniels, who had already established himself as a standout at OSU, joining a program with the resources, coaching staff, and prestige of OU offered the opportunity to take his career to the next level. He would now have the chance to compete on a national stage, facing top-tier opponents in high-profile games. Being part of a program like OU would allow Daniels to elevate his game and increase his visibility as he sought to eventually make it to the NFL.
b) The Coaching Change at Oklahoma State
Coaching changes can play a significant role in a player’s decision to transfer. At the time Daniels decided to enter the portal, Oklahoma State was undergoing some transitions within its coaching staff. Mike Gundy, the long-time head coach at OSU, had faced scrutiny for the program’s performance in recent seasons. The uncertainty about the future direction of the team may have made Daniels question whether remaining at OSU was in his best interest long-term.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff at OU, led by head coach Brent Venables, offered a fresh vision and an opportunity to be part of an exciting new era in Norman. Venables, a defensive-minded coach, could offer Daniels the chance to grow further as a player in a program renowned for developing elite talent on that side of the ball. For a player with NFL aspirations, playing under Venables would be an enticing prospect, especially given the defensive reputation OU had developed under his leadership.
c) The Changing Culture of Bedlam
The Bedlam rivalry is known for its intensity, but it is also a rivalry built on mutual respect for talent and the fierce competition for supremacy. As players in the state of Oklahoma grow up, they are often torn between the two programs, and for some, the pull of one school can outweigh their loyalty to another. In this context, it’s possible that Daniels saw his transfer to OU as an opportunity to further his career in a new environment, while still staying in-state and remaining close to the high-level competition of the Big 12.
Moreover, with Bedlam’s future in the Big 12 uncertain (with the conference’s shifting landscape and Oklahoma’s eventual departure for the SEC), Daniels may have viewed this as an opportunity to secure a legacy of his own at a school with a broader national reach.
d) Personal Development and New Challenges
After excelling at OSU, Daniels may have felt that the next step in his personal and professional development was playing for a program that would provide him with new challenges. OU offered a different style of play, and a more high-profile position in the college football world, which could push him to develop new skills and refine his craft. At OU, Daniels would be playing alongside other elite players, which would challenge him to continuously improve.
5. The Bedlam Rivalry: A New Chapter
Kendal Daniels’ move from OSU to OU is not just a personal decision; it also marks a dramatic shift in the dynamics of the Bedlam rivalry. As a former OSU player, Daniels understands the weight of wearing the crimson and cream of OU. His switch adds another layer of complexity to the rivalry, where players often switch sides due to various factors, including coaching changes, playing time, and future prospects.
For OU fans, Daniels’ arrival brings renewed excitement and anticipation for the future of their defense. For OSU supporters, it may be a bitter pill to swallow, as a player who was once considered a cornerstone of their defense now dons the colors of their archrivals.
