Tag: 2022-2023 Transfer Portal

Sooners linebacker David Ugwoegbu enters the transfer portal

After graduating in December, Oklahoma Sooners linebacker David Ugwoegbu enters the transfer portal to continue his collegiate career.

As the Oklahoma Sooners look to retool a defense that struggled throughout much of the 2022 season, they’ll have to do so without veteran linebacker David Ugwoegbu. Ugwoegbu enters the transfer portal as a grad transfer after four seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners.

In his Sooners career, Ugwoegbu accumulated 208 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and four sacks. He played in 36 games for the Oklahoma Sooners. Now, the former four-star linebacker out of Katy, Texas, will look to continue his collegiate career by finding a new opportunity via the transfer portal.

The 6-4 linebacker had his most productive season in 2022. Starting every game for the Sooners, Ugwoegbu recorded 109 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. He played 919 snaps on the season and was one of three Oklahoma linebackers to play more than 900 snaps in 2022.

An experienced player, Ugwoegbu, will have options at the Power Five level. He had offers from Texas A&M and Alabama coming out of high school.

Ugwoegbu’s departure opens the door presumably for a guy like [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] or [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], who played sparingly over the last half of the season but has a lot of promise in Brent Venables’ defense.

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Oklahoma Sooners going all-in to improve defense for 2023

The Oklahoma Sooners are going all-in via the transfer portal to fix a defense that was one of the worst in the country in 2022.

The transfer portal has created a bit of a chaotic element in the world of college football. Players that coaches expect to be around for three to five years may depart after just one season with the immediate eligibility transfer rule.

At the same time, there’s beauty in the transfer portal as well. A team like the Oklahoma Sooners, coming off its worst season since 1998, isn’t forced to stand pat and wait on its players to develop.

After the 2022 season, in which the defense ranked in the bottom 30 of college football and allowed 30 points per game, the Sooners are aggressively improving the talent on the defensive roster for 2023.

[autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and the Oklahoma Sooners have added six players on the defensive side through the transfer portal. And that doesn’t include [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag], who they brought in as a junior college addition through the 2023 recruiting class. So far, they’ve earned transfer commitments from:

  • [autotag]Jacob Lacey[/autotag], DT from Notre Dame
  • [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], Edge/LB from Indiana
  • [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag], S from Texas Tech
  • [autotag]Trace Ford[/autotag], DE from Oklahoma State
  • [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag], DL from Wake Forest
  • [autotag]Davon Sears[/autotag], DT from Texas State

That’s a lot of experience and a lot of production at the collegiate level to add to the defensive depth chart for 2023.

Rondell Bothroyd brings 14 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons to Norman. Dasan McCullough had a standout season as a true freshman for the Hoosiers and was an ESPN true freshman All-American. We were witnesses to the thunderous tackling ability that Reggie Pearson brings to the Sooners’ secondary in Oklahoma’s loss to Texas Tech in 2022. Jacob Lacey didn’t play much for Notre Dame in 2022, but he was effective in the three games played.

Trace Ford has battled injuries in Stillwater but has been productive when he played. In his first two seasons at Oklahoma State, Ford procured 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman and sophomore. Davon Sears has taken the winding road to the Power Five after spending time at Ellsworth Community College and Texas State. He was an effective interior defensive line presence for the Bobcats, even if the numbers aren’t eye-popping.

The Sooners have some defensive building blocks to work with, including [autotag]Ethan Downs,[/autotag] [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag], [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Coe[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Kelley[/autotag].

They have some young guys from the 2022 recruiting class that will have a chance to be impact players in 2023, such as [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag], [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], [autotag]Gentry Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Rowe[/autotag]. The Sooners have signed arguably the best defensive recruiting class they’ve had in years.

However, Venables and his coaching staff aren’t waiting around. After a 6-7 season, they felt the mandate to make significant additions to the roster to improve the talent, and they’ve done that. It doesn’t mean Oklahoma will contend for the Big 12 title and the College Football Playoff, but they’re not sitting back to see if the young talent will take the steps this offseason to be the difference makers the Sooners’ defense needs to make significant strides in 2023.

They’ll have a lot to prove when they get into the Big 12 part of their schedule next season. Nonconference play will not give us much of an indication of where this defense is next season. However, with what they’ve done in the transfer portal, the defense should be on an upward trajectory.

[autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff are doing everything they can to fix the defense, and their work in the transfer portal is indicative of those efforts.

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Oklahoma Sooners add transfer defensive lineman Davon Sears

Looking to fortify their defensive interior, the Oklahoma Sooners added Texas State transfer Davon Sears.

The Oklahoma Sooners continue to fortify their defensive front through the transfer portal. One day after adding Wake Forest defensive lineman Rondell Bothroyd, the Sooners earned a commitment from Texas State defensive lineman [autotag]Davon Sears[/autotag]. He chose the Oklahoma Sooners over Penn State and Tennessee.

Sears played one season with the Bobcats after spending time at Ellsworth Community College in the junior college ranks. Texas State in 2022, Sears recorded 15 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. He was the eighth-highest-graded player for Texas state in 2022 despite receiving just 355 snaps last season.

With the departures of [autotag]Jeffery Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Redmond[/autotag] and with [autotag]Josh Ellison[/autotag] in the transfer portal, Oklahoma needed to fortify its defensive interior. Sears is the second defensive tackle they’ve added in the [autotag]2022-2023 transfer portal[/autotag] after bringing in Notre Dame transfer Jacob Lacey.

According to Pro Football Focus, Sears was fourth in total pressures for the Bobcats last season with 15. He played at least 20 snaps in every game in 2022 and looks to earn an expanded role with the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023.

The Sooners got good news with the return of[autotag] Isaiah Coe[/autotag] and are awaiting news on [autotag]Jordan Kelley[/autotag]. But with the additions of Lacey, Sears, and 2023 signee [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag], Oklahoma’s defensive interior looks retooled for next season.

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Sooners land Wake Forest transfer DL Rondell Bothroyd

The Sooners fortified their defensive front picking up commitment from Wake Forest transfer Rondell Bothroyd.

Oklahoma added to its transfer portal haul on Sunday evening as Wake Forest transfer defensive lineman Rondell Bothroyd. Bothroyd celebrated his birthday by announcing his commitment to the Sooners.

The Wake Forest transfer has one year of eligibility remaining and will join a Sooners defensive front that struggled to rush the passer consistently in 2022. Bothroyd played primarily on the edge and displays versatility in his ability to rush from both sides of the defense.

Head coach Brent Venables’ time at Clemson allowed him and some of the rest of the Oklahoma staff to see Bothroyd up close and personal so they have a great idea of the caliber player he is.

At Wake Forest, Bothroyd had 30 tackles, six sacks, eight tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in 2022. That was after a 2021 season in which he totaled  63 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.

Over his five-year career at Wake Forest, Bothroyd recorded 136 tackles, 16.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He’s been a big-time contributor for a resurgent Wake Forest team.

On3 sports had him as their 27th overall transfer prospect. Look for Bothroyd to compete for meaningful snaps from the moment he steps on campus.

This commitment also likely wraps up Oklahoma’s pursuits of any other defensive line targets via the transfer portal. Offensive line and wide receiver look like the groups in need of veteran assistance most going forward. Walter Rouse is the name to watch as the Sooners retool for the 2023 season.

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New Sooner Dasan McCullough one of College Wire’s 10 best true freshmen of 2022

After being named to the ESPN True Freshmen All-American team, Dasan McCullough was one of College Wire’s ten best true freshmen of 2022.

There’s a lot at stake for the Oklahoma Sooners in year two of the [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] era. After a 6-7 season in which the defense struggled for much of the year, allowing 30 points per game, the Sooners much show improvement in 2023.

In an effort to improve a defense that allowed 35 points or more in seven games this season, Venables and his staff have been aggressive in the transfer portal. They brought in the top EDGE portal option, [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag]. McCullough was named to ESPN’s true freshmen All-American team after posting 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in his only season with the Indiana Hoosiers.

A versatile and athletic player, McCullough could step in and play defensive end but also may be an option at Cheetah for Venables. After a strong true freshman season, McCullough was ranked the No. 10 true freshman in 2022 by Regional Editor of the College Wires at USA TODAY Sports Patrick Conn.

McCullough had offers to play at Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia among others but opted to stay home with Indiana. The No. 9 edge player of the 2022 class finished out his freshman campaign with 6.5 TFLs (third on the team), and 4.0 sacks (first on the team). McCullough will join his brother on the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023. – Conn, Regional Editor – College Wires at USA TODAY Sports

McCullough figures to be an impact player for the Sooners in 2023. With his athleticism, length, and versatility, the Sooners could line him up at a variety of spots and make him a mismatch nightmare.

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Oklahoma Sooners land transfer offensive linemen Caleb Shaffer

Oklahoma continues its portal shopping spree by adding grad transfer offensive lineman Caleb Shaffer from Miami of Ohio.

[autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] is not satisfied with his offensive line room as the Sooners prepare for the 2023 season. It’s hard to blame him as the Oklahoma Sooners lost two starters, [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag] and [autotag]Wanya Morris[/autotag], to the NFL Draft process and Chris Murray to graduation.

Instead of waiting idly, Bedenbaugh went portal shopping and helped land interior offensive linemen Caleb Shaffer out of Miami-Ohio. Shaffer announced his commitment to Oklahoma on Thursday evening.

Shaffer projects best as a guard and marks the third time in the last four years that Oklahoma’s offensive line coach has landed a transfer guard in the offseason. Previous guards [autotag]Chris Murray[/autotag] and [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag] ended up becoming starters for Bedenbaugh, and it’s quite possible that Shaffer could become the next starter for the Sooners at guard.

He has a wealth of experience, with 35 starts and over 2,200 snaps to his collegiate resume. Shaffer was an Academic All-MAC player as well. Since he is a grad transfer, he will have one year of eligibility.

Shaffer’s commitment gives Oklahoma a wealth of options if senior [autotag]Chris Murray[/autotag] is not granted another year. It also allows younger interior linemen like [autotag]Savion Byrd[/autotag], [autotag]Jake Taylor[/autotag], and others to continue developing at a steady pace.

Shaffer won’t be given a starting job, but he’ll undoubtedly be in the mix for one all offseason. Shaffer also marks just the second offensive transfer portal addition, along with the return of tight end Austin Stogner.

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Stanford transfer offensive tackle Walter Rouse to visit with Oklahoma

Looking to add another Pac-12 offensive lineman, the Sooners are expected to host Stanford transfer offensive tackle Walter Rouse.

The Oklahoma Sooners have struck gold going out west in the offensive line transfer portal in recent years. Offensive line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] helped bring [autotag]Chris Murray[/autotag] from UCLA and[autotag] McKade Mettauer[/autotag] from Cal. In the 2022-2023 transfer portal, it appears that Bedenbaugh has his sights set on another Pac-12 offensive lineman, Stanford offensive tackle [autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag].

According to Josh Edwards of CBS Sports and 247Sports, Rouse intends to visit with the Sooners, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. A former three-star offensive tackle in the 2019 class, Rouse was considered a top 500 player in the country and the No. 5 player in Washington D.C.

Rouse was Stanford’s sixth-highest-graded player on offense in 2022 and has played more than 2,500 snaps in his four-year collegiate career. Per Edwards’ report on Twitter, Rouse has started 39 games at left tackle.

The Oklahoma Sooners are losing starting offensive tackles [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag] and [autotag]Wanya Morris[/autotag] to the NFL draft. [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag], who started when Morris was out due to injury, looks to be in line for one of the tackle spots in 2023. Left tackle, however, is up for grabs.

[autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag] had the first shot at it, but an injury suffered early in the Cheez-It Bowl loss forced him to miss most of the game. [autotag]Aaryn Parks[/autotag] entered in relief and helped the Sooners have a nice day running the ball.

With the Sooners needing to replace three starters on the offensive line, finding someone with the experience of Walter Rouse could prove invaluable. Rouse’s four years of experience would aid an offensive line that will be young at right guard and one or both of the tackle spots.

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Sooners add Central Michigan transfer punter Luke Elzinga

The Oklahoma Sooners dipped back into the transfer portal, adding Central Michigan punter Luke Elzinga.

As Michael Turk prepares for an NFL future, the Oklahoma Sooners went back to the transfer portal well for their next punter. To replace Turk, who the Sooners added in the portal from Arizona State, Oklahoma’s adding Central Michigan punter Luke Elzinga.

In three seasons with the Chippewas, Elzinga punted the ball 145 times and averaged 43 yards per punt. He was the highest graded punter in the MAC according to Pro Football Focus on 55 attempts in 2022.

He led the MAC in net punt average at 40.1 yards per attempt and hang-time at 3.9 seconds per punt. Elzinga was third in the MAC in punts downed inside the 20 with 25.

Elzinga also threw one pass for 20 yards in 2022 on a fake field goal attempt. That was an element of Michael Turk’s game that showed up in 2022 and was very effective for the Sooners. Elzinga’s ability to throw the ball could provide special teams coordinator Jay Nunez with some intriguing fake field goal and punt options in 2023.

The former All-MAC punter joins a competition that includes Arizona State transfer Josh Plaster and redshirt freshman Brady Braun.

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Bedlam Transfer: Sooners add Oklahoma State transfer DE Trace Ford

Continuing to add to their EDGE depth, the Oklahoma Sooners got a commitment from Oklahoma State DE transfer Trace Ford.

Modern day college football provides multiple opportunities to add talent. After pulling together a top five recruiting class, the Oklahoma Sooners continued their strong start in the 2022-2023 transfer portal with the addition of Oklahoma State defensive end Trace Ford.

Ford, who was one of the highly sought defensive line options considered other Power Five schools, such as USC. He opted to stay in-state to play with Bedlam rival Oklahoma. The Edmond Santa Fe graduate was considered the No. 3 player in the state of Oklahoma and a four-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting cycle by 247Sports.

In Ford’s freshman and sophomore seasons in Stillwater, he recorded 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss before sitting out 2021 due to injury. He wasn’t as productive in 2022, recording one sack and three tackles for loss in nine games. He played the fewest snaps of his collegiate career, finishing fifth among Cowboys edge players in snaps in 2022.

Ford provides a productive depth option for the Sooners to go along with Ethan Downs, Reggie Grimes, Marcus Stripling, Dasan McCullough, R Mason Thomas, Adepoju Adebawore and Taylor Wein.

Just as Brent Venables and his staff has done since the close of the regular season, the Sooners have worked to address the depth across the team. With Ford, the Sooners found a guy looking to rediscover his early career production.

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Former Texas Tech safety Reggie Pearson Jr. transfers to Oklahoma

Former Texas Tech safety Reggie Pearson Jr. will be transferring to the University of Oklahoma as a graduate transfer.

As the age old saying goes: “If you can’t wreck ’em, bring ’em.” Or something like that. The now former Texas Tech safety Reggie Pearson Jr. announced that he will be transfering to the University of Oklahoma via his Twitter account on Thursday.

While this isn’t exactly the safety Sooners fans were hoping to hear from today, Pearson is a solid, hard hitting addition to the OU defensive backfield. The Sooners had an issue with tackling in their secondary, and co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai has addressed that by bringing in Pearson, who has 174 tackles in his college career.

 

Pearson is a graduate-transfer and will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Sooners fans might remember Pearson from this hard hit he put on Dillon Gabriel in OU’s regular season finale against Texas Tech.

This was just one of the 11 tackles Pearson had in that game that could be the final time OU plays in Lubbock for a very long time.

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