Are there any other positions Oklahoma could add through the transfer portal?
The NCAA transfer portal closes on Wednesday, but it looks like Oklahoma is done for now.
While things could change in the next two days, a Saturday tweet from Oklahoma’s director of player personnel and recruiting seems to indicate that there won’t be any new Sooners this year — at least not until the next portal opens on May 1 .
First, while the initial scholarship cap remains extended to 32 for next year, Oklahoma’s 2023 roster is currently at the 85 scholarship cap. So for more newcomers to come in, someone would have to leave.
But if there are any 11th-hour changes this spring — OU starts classes on Tuesday, so that’s increasingly unlikely — what needs remain for the Sooners?
“The best way is the one who can come in and make an immediate impact.” Brent Venables said recently, “make us better in the right places, better than we might already be, and then find the right people. There are a few guys that we turned down that we think are great players because they weren’t exactly who we were looking for from an aggregate standpoint. I think guys in the right shape are very important.”
Venables said on National Signing Day that there was a big need for defensive linemen, so he signed four of them (two ends, two tackles). Marvin Mims left for the NFL, so Venables brought a quick transfer to Michigan Andrel Anthony. Punter Mikhail Turk finished, yes Luke Elzinga came from Central Michigan. DaShaun White finished and David Ugwoegbu hit the portal, yes Dawson McCullough came from Indiana. Braden Willis finished, yes Austin Stogner returned from South Carolina. I Anton Harrison and Vanya Morris left for the NFL, yes Walter Rouse came from Stanford.
OU Transfer Portal Additions
(until January 15)
- WR Andrell Anthony
- D. E. Rondell Bothroyd
- P Luke Elzinga
- DE Trace Ford
- DT Jacob Lacy
- LB Dawson McCullough
- S. Reggie Pearson Jr
- OT Walter Rouse
- DT Caleb Shaffer
- EN Of which Sears
- TE Austin Stogner
Certainly the needs were met.
“We were preparing for the end of the season,” Venables said. “This is the last year you can sign more than 25 guys. Creating a list as we see fit and where our needs and things that need to happen in a transaction with guys looking for other opportunities; so that we continue to add value to our listing. It’s challenging in many ways, but something we as a staff have been working on for months in preparation for this opportunity. We think it’s going to be great for everybody in terms of guys getting a fresh start and for us to continue to fill holes and needs on our roster and get the depth we need when we see fit.
“You want guys who will value the same things as you. So there is a balance. … The number of scholarships is not infinite, and you have your limits – 85. And so we realize, “Okay, what’s the most desperate and urgent need?” as opposed to, “This guy is really good, but we need some extra help”; (or) “This guy could probably play another spot for us right away, but which one do we need help with the most?” So you have to make some of those decisions as well, and that’s what we did.”
OU has been active on the transfer portal and effective. According to 247 Sports, the Sooners’ passing class is ranked No. 10 nationally.
Oklahoma has a few more questions to address before the 2023 season begins, either in the next two days (unlikely) or in May (almost certain).
Here are the top positions the Sooners left needing through the spring transfer portal:
Defensive back
Arrivals
Transfers: S Reggie Pearson Jr., CB Kendel Dolby
Freshmen: S. Payton Bowen, Jacob Johnson, Eric McCarthy, Dae McCullough, Makary Vickers, Jasiah Wagoner
Departures
CB Jordan Mooks, CB Joshua Eaton, S Kendall Dennis, S Bryson Washington, S Justin Broyles, CB CJ Coldon, S Trey Morrison
The numbers say OU took the lead here, eight in and seven out. This is a plus.
But six of those eight are true freshmen and one is a college transfer.
Apparently NEO juco Fat Dolby looks ready to intervene. Peyton Bowen is a talented 5-star recruit, and Jacob Johnson, Makary Vickers and Yasiah Wagoner all very promising 4 stars.
Cornerback is in good shape with seniors Jade Davis and Woody Washington are back in the starting lineup, juniors Connie Walker growing into the role and sophomores Gentry Williams and Jaden Rowe showing a lot of potential, plus freshmen.
Protection also established, p Billy Bowman and Lawrence Key holding on to his starting job, Daymond Harmon blooms in 2022, and Robert Spears-Jennings showing a lot of promise as well as more freshmen.
But for now, the only Division I newcomer is Texas Tech transfer Reggie Pearson. That’s good Brandon Hall and Jay Valai as who they return. But there is little depth and experience. Those leaving are taking 205 games of college experience with them. You can’t replace that – even talented freshmen.
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Tight end/H-back
Arrivals
Transfers: TE Austin Stogner
Freshmen: Cade McIntyre
Departures
TE Brayden Willis, TE Daniel Parker
Again, the numbers — two in, two out — say Oklahoma is fine.
But Braden Willis was Mr. Sooner — he was fourth on offense with 809 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and in addition to ranking second on the team in catches and yards and first in receiving touchdowns, he also led Sooners big players with a run-blocking grade of 80. 4.
The only Huner to have a higher run blocking grade than Willis Daniel Parker, with 84.0 on 250 snaps. But Parker, who played four years at Missouri, is ineligible.
Austin Stogner is a welcome addition and can certainly be a productive pass catcher, but he will need to take on a much larger role to replace Willis and Parker.
Cade McIntyre provides impressive power and versatility, but he’s never played college football before.
Sophomore Jason Llewellyn played in eight games last season but only took 38 snaps. Red freshman Caden Helms played in just two games and took 31 snaps. Both are still early in their college football careers and can be counted on to help a lot – in time.
Adding another tight end with little experience via the transfer portal would add to the position group.
The kicker
Arrivals
No
Departures
No
Okay, this is a little out of the box. But there’s a method here: Oklahoma needs competition to improve the kicker position.
In his first year as the Sooners’ leading kicker, Zach Smith missed a third of his field goals. He was 12 of 18 on the season — a .667 percentage that ranks 92nd nationally — and the Sooners were 0-4 in games decided by a field goal. In fact, in all four three-point losses, Schmidt missed at least one field goal.
This has to change. To paraphrase, when it comes to field goals, two out of three is bad. And in November and December, Schmidt was just 4 of 9.
Whether that means bringing in a kicker through the portal who can kick more than Schmidt, or just bringing in someone to add competition and push Schmidt to be better himself, the Sooners need to improve their kicking.
There are two other elements at work here: first, Schmidt is a walk. Given OU’s current scholarship situation, any new kicker will have to move on as well. Of course, this is not unusual. Actual walks Gavin Marshall and kicker/punter Josh Plaster could push Schmidt, and then the problem is solved. And two, adding a kicker before spring practice and taking the group through the motions of having to win a job with pressure would be preferable to waiting until the summer to decide things based solely on training camp results.
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