The Oklahoma Sooners’ move to the SEC hasn’t gone smoothly, especially when it comes to using the transfer portal. Jim Nagy, now the Sooners’ general manager, has a tough job ahead as he tries to overhaul their transfer portal strategy.
Right now, the team needs to compete at a high level in one of college football’s toughest conferences. Their recent transfer success rate has been disappointing, and if they don’t turn it around soon, their future in the SEC could be shaky.
The Importance of the Transfer Portal in Modern College Football
The transfer portal has changed college football in a big way. Teams can rebuild much faster than they used to—what once took years might only take a season or two now.
Most programs have found some success with the portal, but Oklahoma’s recent efforts have left a lot to be desired.
Nagy’s Challenge: Improving Portal Success
Since joining the SEC, Oklahoma has brought in 37 transfers for 2024 and 2025. Out of those, only six have really played at an SEC level: Damonic Williams, Deion Burks, Tate Sandell, Marvin Jones Jr, Isaiah Sategna, and Kendal Daniels.
Some think John Mateer could make the list, but until he proves it on the field, it’s hard to include him. When you look at the numbers, six or seven out of 37 is just not good enough.
The Cost of Poor Evaluations
The Sooners keep missing the mark when evaluating talent in the transfer portal. Other schools have picked up players Oklahoma passed on, and those guys have made big plays elsewhere.
Fans and people inside the program are understandably frustrated. It’s tough to watch as missed opportunities pile up.
The Financial Aspect
There’s been a running joke that Oklahoma was “too broke” to chase real talent in the portal. Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but honestly, the results haven’t helped disprove it.
For instance, taking two offensive linemen from a struggling Stanford team just didn’t pan out. Money matters here, and it’s obvious the Sooners need to get more aggressive.
Jim Nagy’s Plan for Overhaul
Nagy’s job is clear: he has to overhaul how Oklahoma approaches the transfer portal. He needs to go after top talent from all over the Power 4 conferences.
If they keep pinching pennies, they’re not going to keep up in the SEC.
Steps for Improvement
Here’s what the Sooners need to do to get better in the portal:
- Conduct thorough evaluations: Really dig into each potential transfer and don’t cut corners.
- Be financially competitive: Put real resources behind recruiting top players.
- Focus on key positions: Target spots on the roster that have been consistently weak.
- Build relationships: Get to know players and their coaches—connections matter.
Potential Consequences of Failure
The pressure is on. If Oklahoma keeps missing in the portal, people around the SEC might start laughing them off.
There’s also a real risk it could cost head coach Brent Venables his job, which only adds to the urgency for Nagy to get it right.
The Path Forward
There’s no easy fix, but Nagy can’t afford to hold back. He needs to be bold and aggressive in the transfer portal.
That means better evaluations and making sure Oklahoma can actually compete for the best players out there. It’s a tall order, but what other choice do they have?
The Oklahoma Sooners have a lot riding on their ability to improve their transfer portal strategy.
With Jim Nagy leading the way, there’s real hope they can turn things around. The margin for error feels razor-thin, though, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
If the Sooners want to join the SEC’s elite, they really need to rethink how they handle the transfer portal. Better evaluations and smarter acquisitions seem absolutely necessary.
Want to dig deeper into Jim Nagy’s plans for the Oklahoma Sooners? Check out A to Z Sports.
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