The transfer portal window has officially closed, and with it, the movement of players in and out of programs is largely settled-at least for this cycle. For Oklahoma, the portal was both a tool for reloading and a revolving door, as the Sooners saw significant movement on both ends. When the dust settled, Oklahoma’s transfer class came in at No. 20 nationally, according to 247Sports’ latest team transfer rankings.
Let’s break that down.
Offensive Overhaul in Norman
The Sooners brought in 17 transfers this cycle, and the bulk of that haul-12 players-will line up on the offensive side of the ball. That’s not by accident. After an inconsistent first year under offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, Oklahoma’s brass, led by general manager Jim Nagy, clearly prioritized upgrading their skill positions and the trenches.
Of the 15 transfer additions ranked by 247Sports, four are four-star prospects, and all four are offensive weapons. Wide receivers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone bring size and versatility to a receiving corps that needed more explosiveness. Tight end Jack Van Dorselaer adds a dynamic pass-catching threat over the middle, and offensive tackle E’Marion Harris is a big-time addition up front-someone who can anchor the line and create cleaner pockets for whoever wins the quarterback job.
This isn’t just window dressing. These are targeted moves designed to address specific needs. The Sooners are betting that an infusion of proven talent at key spots can bring more consistency to an offense that struggled to find its rhythm in 2025.
Defensive Depth, Not a Rebuild
While the offensive additions draw the headlines, Oklahoma didn’t ignore the defensive side of the ball. Five of the 17 transfers are defenders, brought in to reinforce a unit that was one of the best in the country last season under head coach Brent Venables, who returned to play-calling duties in 2025.
This wasn’t about fixing a broken defense-it was about preserving depth and maintaining the standard that Venables reestablished. The Sooners' defense was a major reason they stayed competitive last season, and the staff knows that in the SEC, depth on that side of the ball isn’t a luxury-it’s a necessity.
The Other Side of the Portal
Of course, the portal giveth and the portal taketh away. Oklahoma saw 28 players enter the transfer portal this cycle, and almost all of them have already found new homes. Only two remain uncommitted.
What stands out is where those players landed. Twenty-four of the 28 ended up at other Power Four programs, and seven transferred to fellow SEC schools.
That’s a lot of talent staying at the top level of college football-and in some cases, staying on Oklahoma’s radar. Eight of the outgoing transfers are now with teams the Sooners will face in 2026.
Still, only two of those departures-linebackers Kobie McKinzie and Sammy Omosigho-were rated as four-star prospects in this cycle. So while the volume of exits is notable, the overall talent loss may be less severe than the raw numbers suggest.
What It All Means
This portal cycle tells us a few things about where Oklahoma is and where it’s trying to go. The Sooners are clearly in the middle of a recalibration-building out an offense that can better match the demands of SEC play, while maintaining the defensive identity that’s become a calling card under Venables.
They didn’t land a top-10 transfer class, but that’s not necessarily the goal. This was about fit, not flash.
The additions on offense, particularly at wide receiver and offensive line, are designed to provide immediate impact. And the defensive reinforcements are there to ensure there’s no drop-off in a unit that carried the load for much of 2025.
The portal is changing the way rosters are built, and Oklahoma is embracing that reality. With 17 new faces coming in and 28 heading out, the Sooners are reshaping their roster with intent. Now, it’s about turning that movement into momentum on the field.