The Oklahoma Sooners wrapped up their 2025 season with a 34-24 loss to Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Now, as the 2026 season creeps closer, head coach Brent Venables and general manager Jim Nagy face a tall order: re-tooling the roster.
They’ve already signed a top 15 recruiting class for 2026. Still, the Sooners need to hit the transfer portal to fill some immediate gaps.
Nagy, in his first full offseason with the program, keeps talking about prioritizing key positions. He especially focuses on the spots that impact the quarterback most.
These “money 5” positions in NFL lingo—quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, pass rusher, and cornerback—are at the top of the list. With the portal open, let’s poke around and see which spots the Sooners should target first this offseason.
Wide Receiver
Deion Burks and Keontez Lewis have run out of eligibility. Isaiah Sategna might bolt for the NFL too, leaving the Sooners with a pretty thin group at wide receiver.
There’s some buzz around young guys like Javonnie Gibson, Zion Kearney, Ivan Carreon, Elijah Thomas, and Jacob Jordan. But experience matters, and Oklahoma needs a proven pass catcher who can step in and be the lead guy right away.
Landing a top-tier receiver from the portal could make or break their season. No pressure, right?
Defensive End
Taylor Wein returns after leading the team with seven sacks last season. But with R Mason Thomas and Marvin Jones Jr. gone, there’s a real hole at defensive end heading into 2026.
Adepoju Adebawore, Danny Okoye, and Wyatt Gilmore flashed some promise, combining for 5.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2025. Still, the rotation needs a steady, veteran presence.
Oklahoma’s dipped into the portal for defensive ends before. Feels like they’ll do it again.
Linebacker
Linebacker is a spot to watch. Kobie McKinzie’s entering the transfer portal, and Owen Heinecke’s waiting on the NCAA for another year of eligibility.
Kip Lewis, with his speed and athleticism, might jump to the NFL as a potential top 100 pick. This trio logged 1,345 snaps last season, so if they all leave, that’s a gaping hole.
Sammy Omosigho could come back, and youngsters like James Nesta and Marcus James have upside. But if Lewis and Heinecke are gone, the Sooners really need a seasoned linebacker or two.
Defensive Tackle
Jayden Jackson and David Stone anchor the defensive tackle spot, even after Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams left. The group is young, though, and that’s always a little nerve-wracking.
Markus Strong played more this year, and guys like Trent Wilson, Brian Harris, and James Carrington will get their shot. Still, adding a veteran upperclassman to steady the rotation wouldn’t hurt at all.
Offensive Line
Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has a knack for finding plug-and-play guards in the portal. Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodjes return at tackle, with redshirt sophomore Eddy Pierre-Louis and center Jake Maikkula also back.
That could mean four out of five starters return. Even so, depth and experience—especially at guard—are always in short supply, so expect the Sooners to look for help there.
Tight End
Jaren Kanak surprised everyone with 44 catches for 533 yards, the best season for a Sooner tight end since Brayden Willis in 2022. But let’s be honest: tight end has been a weird spot for Oklahoma lately.
They basically had to convert Kanak from linebacker just to get production last year. Going forward, they need a tight end who can block and catch, someone who isn’t just a stopgap.
Snagging a versatile, experienced tight end from the portal feels pretty crucial if the offense is going to click.
Conclusion
The Oklahoma Sooners are gearing up for the 2026 season, and the transfer portal’s going to be a big deal. They’ve got needs at wide receiver, defensive end, linebacker, defensive tackle, offensive line, and tight end—basically, there are gaps everywhere you look.
Brent Venables and Jim Nagy have a lot on their plate. They’ll need to find experienced, talented players who can step in right away if they want to stay competitive.
Curious about what the Sooners are prioritizing in the portal? You can dig deeper at Sooners Wire.
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