The Oklahoma Sooners have jumped into the transfer portal, moving fast to bring in top-tier talent for the 2026 season. General Manager Jim Nagy led the charge, and the Sooners wasted no time during the portal’s first weekend, grabbing key players for both offense and defense.
Oklahoma’s moves in the portal could shape the team’s future, but let’s break down the biggest wins and a few stumbles so far.
Oklahoma’s Offensive Upgrades
The Sooners’ offense got a real shot in the arm with some new faces. Quarterback John Mateer, who battled injuries last season, is back and—if things go as planned—he’ll have much better support around him.
Adding All-ACC Third Team receiver Trell Harris is a big deal. Harris put up 59 catches for 847 yards and five touchdowns last year, and he gives Mateer a legit weapon.
Key Offensive Additions
Some of the most important pickups:
- Trell Harris – All-ACC Third Team receiver with impressive numbers.
- Parker Livingstone – Former Texas Longhorn who should be a dependable red zone option.
- Isaiah Sategna – Mateer’s go-to receiver, sticking with the team.
- Hayden Hansen, Rocky Beers, and Jack Van Dorselaer – Experienced tight ends from Florida, Colorado State, and Tennessee.
With these new weapons, Mateer’s offense looks a lot more dynamic than last year. Keeping running backs Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock adds more depth and experience, which should help stabilize things in the backfield.
Defensive Reinforcements and Challenges
The defense had some ups and downs. Linebacker depth, which was a strength in 2025, took a hit when Kobie McKinzie and Sammy Omosigho left.
But the Sooners brought in Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan and kept Kip Lewis. That experience should help steady the linebacker group.
Linebacker Dynamics
If Owen Heinecke wins his eligibility appeal, Oklahoma could roll out three seasoned linebackers. That’d buy some time for younger guys to get up to speed.
Still, losing proven players means the underclassmen will have to step up. There’s not really any way around that.
Defensive Line Adjustments
Defensive tackles coach Todd Bates has a knack for developing talent. He turned Gracen Halton into one of the SEC’s top interior linemen.
Now, with Halton and Damonic Williams moving on, Bates will lean on David Stone and Jayden Jackson to lead up front.
Key Defensive Line Changes
Here’s what’s new up front:
- Markus Strong – Entered the portal and Clemson scooped him up right away.
- Bishop Thomas – Joined from Georgia State, adding some muscle to the line.
Oklahoma missed out on Michigan State’s Alex Van Sumeran, but bringing in Thomas and developing younger guys like Trent Wilson will be key for keeping the line competitive.
Evaluating Jim Nagy’s First Full Portal Cycle
Jim Nagy’s first full run with the transfer portal looks pretty successful. He and his staff wasted no time identifying and landing players who fill the team’s biggest needs.
Strategic Acquisitions
Some standout moves:
- Jaydn Ott – High-profile running back pickup that didn’t pan out as hoped.
- Jake Maikkula – Won the starting center job after Troy Everett got hurt.
The Sooners brought in Trell Harris without much drama. They also won out for Cole Sullivan and Parker Livingstone, thanks in part to head coach Brent Venables and the rest of the staff. This group really worked together to get things done.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
We won’t really know how these transfers work out until the Sooners hit the field next fall. On paper, though, Nagy’s first full portal cycle looks like a win.
Mixing established Power 4 talent with players moving up from smaller programs gives Oklahoma a balanced, maybe even dangerous, roster. Guess we’ll see how it all shakes out soon enough.
Optimism for the Future
There’s a real sense of optimism building around Oklahoma’s upcoming season. The new additions could end up making a big difference.
Young offensive linemen like Michael Fasusi, Eddy Pierre-Louis, and Ryan Fodje have started to develop quickly. Plus, Robinson and Blaylock are finally getting healthy, which should help the Sooners’ rushing attack a lot.
If you’re curious about Oklahoma’s transfer portal moves, check out the full article.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
