Oklahoma’s final roster spot appears to be going to the defensive line.
The Sooners are reportedly adding Arkansas transfer Danny Saili, according to On3’s Pete Nakos and SoonerScoop’s George Stoia. The 6-foot-6, 319-pound nose guard would give Oklahoma another body up front after spending last season with the Razorbacks.
Saili played more than 300 snaps for Arkansas in 2025 and finished with 2.5 tackles for loss, 10 total tackles and a pass deflection. He first reached the SEC program in 2024 after coming out of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, though his debut season there was limited to 66 snaps.
His path to this point also included an earlier connection to Oklahoma. Saili was verbally committed to Brent Venables and the Sooners in the summer of 2023 before backing off that pledge in October of that year.
The move is tied to the recent injunction that opened the door for players from the recruiting class of 2022 to use the new five-for-five rule, which means athletes are no longer grouped as freshmen through seniors and instead can play five seasons in five years of college sports. The injunction grandfathering Class of 2022 players who played their final college game in 2025 only lets them return to the school they left, unless they entered the transfer portal after the 2025 season and never signed a professional contract. Saili entered the portal after the 2025 season and did not sign a pro contract, so he can choose his next school.
During Oklahoma’s Media Day last week, Venables was asked whether the Sooners might look at bringing in former players such as Damonic Williams or Marvin Jones Jr. for the last spot on the roster.
"Yeah, anything's possible as far as what we might explore," Venables said.
Saili’s size wasn’t the only thing that changed in Fayetteville. He arrived at Arkansas at around 375 pounds in 2024 and dropped 50 pounds heading into 2025, a transformation that helped him earn a steadier role.
For Oklahoma, the fit makes sense on paper. Behind David Stone and Jayden Jackson, the Sooners are leaning on young, inexperienced options for important rotational snaps.
Saili gives them another experienced interior presence, and with Jackson established as a true nose guard, Oklahoma now has more flexibility on the line. Trent Wilson may eventually grow into that role too, but for now the Sooners have plenty of three-technique tackles.
Saili helps shore up the 0- and 1-tech spots.
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