When the court rulings opened the door, Oklahoma didn’t waste time walking through it.
Over a span of just a few days, the Sooners added four players with an eye on strengthening the roster for the long haul: former Arkansas defensive lineman Danny Saili, former Boise State defensive tackle Braxton Fely, Wisconsin cornerback D’Yoni Hill and Stephen F. Austin linebacker Jaydon Southard. The moves came after temporary restraining orders gave those players an extra year of eligibility, and OU made the most of the opportunity.
General manager Jim Nagy made clear Monday that this was never about grabbing names at the last minute. The staff had been tracking these players for a while and left room on the roster in case the legal situation broke their way.
“My job is to make this roster the best roster I can make it,” Nagy said Monday.
OU’s approach was careful, but it was also decisive. The Sooners stayed in contact with the SEC to make sure they understood exactly what they could and couldn’t do, especially with university president Joseph Harroz Jr. and athletic director Roger Denny being firm about not adding players who signed pro contracts.
Saili’s SEC background made him an especially appealing piece. Nagy described him as a strong, point-of-attack player who can help the defensive line’s depth and has a solid reputation as a run stopper. He also showed that against the Miners, finishing with one tackle.
Fely brings a different kind of presence. Nagy called him “slippery,” and said he has good hands and the ability to create problems in the backfield. Before making the move, Nagy and his staff checked on both players with NFL personnel who had scouted them earlier this year.
The Sooners also made sure the additions fit what they had already built inside the locker room. Before any player was brought in, Nagy talked with the team’s captains about how newcomers would fit into each position group, and the new arrivals then addressed the team Monday.
“We really like where the team’s at chemistry-wise, culture-wise, leadership-wise and didn’t want to do anything to disrupt that,” Nagy said. “So, we were very mindful of that through the whole process.”
Hill and Southard add another layer on special teams, where their experience could help lessen the burden on some starters. According to Pro Football Focus, Hill has 367 career special teams snaps, while Southard has 371.
The newcomers still have work ahead of them. They need time to get into game shape, learn the defense and settle in with their teammates, and Nagy said OU will respect the seven-day acclimation period rather than rush them into action.
For OU, the rulings created a rare chance to improve the roster, and the staff prepared for it in advance. They kept spots open, moved aggressively when the moment came and now appear to be done.
“No, this is it,” Nagy said when asked if the door was open to add more.
In Other News...
Oklahomas Backfield Picture Changed Faster Than Sooners Fans Expected
Oklahomas backfield has already taken on a different shape after the season opener against UTEP, with transfer Lloyd Avant quickly moving into the lead role. The Colorado State import gave the Sooners a steadier presence than many expected heading into the year, while Xavier Robinson and freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. were used sparingly as the staff sorted through options behind him.
Brent Venables also said Tory Blaylock could be back soon after sitting out Week 1 with a hamstring issue, which adds another layer to a rotation that still looks unsettled. For Oklahoma, the early takeaway is not just who carried the load in the opener, but how quickly that depth chart could keep shifting once the rest of the backs are fully available. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Gets O-Line Boost But One Worry Looms At Michigan
Oklahoma is trending toward getting some needed help up front just in time for a marquee trip to Michigan, with injured starters Jake Maikkula and Ryan Fodje both taking full reps in practice. For a team still trying to settle in along the offensive line, that kind of reinforcement matters, especially with a nonconference test that will demand cleaner protection and more stability than the Sooners have had at times early.
The one concern hanging over the group is left tackle Michael Fasusi, whose shoulder injury left his status uncertain after he did not practice fully. Oklahoma is even weighing the possibility of holding him out not just for this game, but for the next one as well, a sign the staff is thinking beyond one matchup and toward the conference stretch that follows. [Read more 🡒]
Jim Nagys Latest OU Adds Could Matter More Than Fans Realize
Jim Nagys latest work for Oklahoma has been a little different from the usual transfer-hunt hustle. The Sooners landed four additions in Danny Saili, Braxton Fely, DYoni Hill and Jaydon Southard after each gained eligibility through temporary restraining orders against the NCAA, and the common thread in all four cases is that they were part of legal efforts seeking a fifth year on the field. For Oklahoma, the move was less about chasing headlines than identifying players who could fit what the program needs while adding depth in spots the staff had already kept open.
Nagy said the evaluation went beyond talent, with cultural fit part of the equation and the roster construction done with intent rather than impulse. The bigger question now is how quickly, or even whether, those newcomers will be pushed into action once they settle in with the Sooners. For a team that has been willing to be patient with its approach, the next step is seeing which of these late additions becomes more than just a name on the summer board. [Read more 🡒]