Oklahoma’s roster might not be settled yet, and the Sooners are doing it right on the eve of their 2026 season opener.
CBS Sports national college football senior reporter Matt Zenitz reported Thursday afternoon that Boise State defensive lineman Braxton Fely planned to enter the transfer portal, with Oklahoma listed as the most likely destination. A few hours later, SoonerScoop’s George Stoia said Fely was expected to be on Oklahoma’s roster by the end of the night before Friday’s opener against UTEP.
“Braxton Fely is expected to officially be on the roster by tonight. OU is also planning for Danny Saili to be on the roster this season (waiting on hearing currently).
OU did not have to cut anyone for this to happen, I’m told. #Sooners https://t.co/pj5ESQfsY3”
That would give Oklahoma another major piece for a defensive front that already looks loaded. If Fely does land in Norman, he would be joining a unit that was already expected to be one of the best in the country, and it would give the Sooners more veteran help at defensive tackle behind starters David Stone and Jayden Jackson.
Fely has spent his entire career at Boise State, where he became a key part of a defense that has been one of the Group of 6’s most reliable groups. He was a two-time All-Mountain West Second-Team selection over the last two seasons and wrapped up 2025 with 24 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks while starting all 14 games.
There are still questions, though. Fely has never played against an SEC offensive line, even if he brings size at 6-foot-1 and 296 pounds and has College Football Playoff experience. He also picked up another year of eligibility because of the NCAA’s new 5-in-5 ruling and the fallout that followed, but it remains unclear whether he will ultimately play or even if that will happen in Norman.
Oklahoma may not be done at defensive tackle either. The Sooners are also waiting on former Arkansas lineman Danny Saili, who joined the program last month before being ruled ineligible. Brent Venables said during Wednesday’s SEC coaches call that Saili had been practicing with Oklahoma, and on Thursday he was granted a TRO while the program waits on a court ruling that would allow him to play.
“To clarify: the injunction HAS NOT been granted, just the TRO. Injunction hearing will be set soon. https://t.co/x0Ty9rR86T”
For now, it leaves Oklahoma in the middle of a strange late-August scramble. Neither possible addition would help Friday against UTEP, and probably not even in Week 2 against Michigan. Still, if the Sooners can keep adding pieces this close to kickoff, they may simply decide to live with the chaos and keep building the roster as long as it helps them chase a title.
In Other News...
Oklahoma May Have Finally Found A Way To Unleash CJ Nickson
Oklahomas 2026 roster brought a notable update for CJ Nickson, who has officially been moved from defensive end to tight end ahead of the Sooners season opener. The position change, first reported by SoonerScoop and later confirmed by the teams updated roster, gives the former four-star recruit a fresh runway after arriving from Weatherford High School with a reputation for handling just about anything asked of him.
For Oklahoma, the move is a reminder of why Nickson drew attention as a prospect in the first place. He was known for playing multiple spots on both sides of the ball in high school, and the Sooners are now betting that versatility can translate into a more natural fit on offense. Whether the change unlocks his best role will be one of the more interesting subplots as the roster takes shape. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Fans Need To See OUs Friday Game Day Traffic Plan
With the Sooners opening the season at home, Norman is bracing for the kind of Friday traffic that can turn a game week into a logistics test. The University of Oklahoma and Norman Public Schools both announced in-person classes will be closed that day, and OU has rolled out a new game day driving map along with traffic protocols it developed with local police to help keep cars moving around the stadium.
For fans headed to Oklahoma vs. UTEP, the message is simple enough: plan ahead and pay attention to the updated routes before you leave. The schedule release and ticket information may have the spotlight for now, but the traffic plan is the part that could matter most to anyone trying to get in and out of town without losing half the afternoon. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Finally Gets A Real Elijah Thomas Test In The Opener
Elijah Thomas is in line for a much bigger stage when Oklahoma opens against UTEP, and it comes at a time when the Sooners have already had to adjust their receiver picture. Listed as a co-starter at X, Thomas is expected to make his first career start with Parker Livingstone in concussion protocol, giving Oklahoma an early look at one of its more intriguing young talents in a real game setting.
Thomas arrived as a highly rated recruit and drew attention during fall camp, but his freshman year has brought only limited snaps at receiver so far. The opener now offers the Sooners a clearer read on where he stands, and on whether the promise he flashed in camp can start showing up when the lights come on for real. [Read more 🡒]