Tag: 2022 transfer portal

USC transfer target TE Michael Trigg shares video alongside QB Jaxson Dart from Oklahoma visit

Tight end Michael Trigg and quarterback Jaxson Dart, a pair of USC transfer targets, were in Norman yesterday for a visit.

Oklahoma hosted USC transfer targets tight end Michael Trigg and quarterback Jaxson Dart on Friday. The duo is reportedly set to visit Ole Miss over the weekend and make a final decision on what’s next for their respective futures.

Trigg excited the OU fan base on Saturday morning when he shared video of himself alongside Dart donning the crimson and cream during the visit.

Dart is the No. 3 player available in 247Sports’ transfer portal player rankings. Trigg isn’t listed in 247Sports’ transfer portal player rankings, but both were consensus four-star prospects coming out of high school.

Dart was the nation’s No. 45 player and No. 7 quarterback in the On3 consensus rankings for the 2021 recruiting class. 247Sports‘ composite placed Dart as the No. 69 player overall and No. 10 quarterback in the 2021 class.

Meanwhile, Trigg was ranked as the country’s fourth-best tight end and No. 154 player nationally by the On3 consensus. 247Sports‘ composite also rated Trigg as the nation’s No. 4 tight end in the 2021 class, but he was ranked a little higher overall as the No. 130 player nationally.

Dart saw action in six games for USC this past season. As a true freshman, the Kaysville, Utah, native completed 117-of-189 passes for 1,353 passing yards with nine passing touchdowns against five interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback also started each of the Trojans’ final three games of 2021.

Trigg caught seven passes for 109 yards with USC. His best games of the 2021 season came against Oregon State and Colorado. Against the Beavers, Trigg hauled in three grabs for 44 yards.

Then, against the Buffaloes, Trigg showcased his potential with a 46-yard touchdown reception.

If the Sooners win this recruiting battle, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby would be adding a highly sought-after quarterback, Dart, to battle UCF transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

OU would also bolster a tight end group that saw the return of Brayden Willis, added Missouri transfer Daniel Parker Jr. and signed Kaden Helms and Jason Llewellyn in its 2022 class.

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Oklahoma Sooners land Tulane transfer DT Jeffrey Johnson

The Oklahoma Sooners landed a big transfer addition in Tulane Defensive Tackle Jeffrey Johnson. Johnson had 6 total tackles and a TFL vs. OU in 2021.

The Oklahoma Sooners continue to attack the transfer portal to retool their roster ahead of the 2022 season. With Perrion Winfrey heading to the NFL draft, the Sooners were in need of some experience on the interior and they got that in Tulane transfer defensive tackle Jeffrey Johnson.

Johnson played 42 games for the Tulane Green Wave over four seasons. The 330-pound totaled 135 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks.

The Oklahoma Sooners got to see Johnson up close and personal in the 2021 season opener where he had six total tackles and a tackle for loss. In the 40-35 win, the Sooners averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, despite Kennedy Brooks’ 6.2 yards per attempt.

Johnson led the Green Wave defensive line with 597 snaps, and was tied for fourth in total pressures according to Pro Football Focus.

His ability to play the 1-technique or nose tackle positions will allow Jalen Redmond to play more of the 3-technique spot in Brent Venables defense. That tandem will help the Sooners shore up their interior run defense and pass rush.

As the Oklahoma Sooners continue to remake their defense in the vision of Brent Venables, adding Jeffrey Johnson to defensive tackles coach Todd Bates’ group will help provide the bulk that Venables prefers on the defensive interior.

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Oklahoma Sooners show interest in USC transfer TE Michael Trigg

The Sooners continue to attack the transfer portal to retool their squad, this time showing interest in USC transfer TE Michael Trigg.

The Oklahoma Sooners have not been shy about retooling their roster in the early stages of the 2022 offseason. While they’ve lost some players to the transfer portal, they’ve worked to add some as well.

At the tight end spot, the Sooners lost Austin Stogner to South Carolina through the portal and Jeremiah Hall declared for the NFL draft. Though those were significant losses, the Sooners brought in tight end Daniel Parker as a transfer from Missouri. Then they received even better news when Brayden Willis elected to stick around for one more year.

As it seems with every position, the Brent Venables’ Sooners are looking to add as much talent as possible. Per Clint Brewster of 247Sports, the Oklahoma Sooners have shown interest in recent transfer portal entrant, tight end Michael Trigg.

Trigg was considered a four-star tight end in the class of 2021 and committed to play for the USC Trojans. Now he’s on the move, and the Sooners might be the team that could reap the rewards of the athletic tight end.

Trigg played in four games for the Trojans and missed time due to a knee injury that didn’t require surgery. In the four games he played, Trigg caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Here’s what 247Sports’ Barton Simmons had to say about Trigg as a recruit. 

Extremely productive pass catcher against shoddy competition. Natural hands catcher. Good body control and ball skills. Easy athlete that can be dangerous after the catch and has played quarterback in a run-heavy role. Isn’t asked to play in-line but has shown some willingness to block in H-back roles and is active on defense. High end basketball player. – Simmons, 247Sports

Although Oklahoma wasn’t in on Trigg during his recruitment process, Joe Jon Finley was part of Ole Miss’ recruitment of Trigg. That could create an open door for the Sooners to make a play for the former USC Trojans tight end.

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Oklahoma’s Caleb Williams, Mario Williams crystal-balled to USC by 247Sports

A number of crystal-ball predictions for QB Caleb Williams and WR Mario Williams have been submitted by 247Sports reporters.

It’s beginning to look like the writing is on the wall.

USC quarterback Jaxson Dart entered his name into the NCAA’s transfer portal today, seemingly clearing the way for Caleb Williams to transfer there and take over as the starting quarterback for the Trojans.

Oklahoma true freshman starting quarterback Caleb Williams announced he was planning on entering the transfer portal on Jan. 3. OU true freshman wide receiver Mario Williams quickly followed suit, announcing he was entering the transfer portal as well on Jan. 4

Both Caleb Williams and Mario Williams were in Los Angeles this past weekend visiting with USC.

Now, the crystal-ball predictions are flying in for the pair to wind up in L.A. 247Sports’ Chris Hummer submitted a prediction for Mario Williams to USC earlier this morning.

Fellow 247Sports reporters Nick Harris, Greg Biggins and Josh Edwards put in crystal-ball projections for Mario Williams to USC shortly thereafter.

Seven crystal-ball predictions have come in for Caleb Williams to transfer to USC.

Caleb Williams and Mario Williams are ranked No. 1 and No. 8 in 247Sports’ transfer portal player rankings, respectively.

Caleb Williams finished the 2021 season with 1,921 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns and four interceptions. The Washington, D.C., product completed 136-of-211 passes for a 64.5 completion percentage.

Caleb Williams also had four rushing touchdowns of 40-plus yards.

Mario Williams ended his 2021 season with 35 receptions, 380 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. The 5-foot-9 receiver was named a true freshman All-American by ESPN, 247Sports and Pro Football Focus.

Caleb Williams was named a true freshman All-American by ESPN, 247Sports, On3 and Pro Football Focus.

Oklahoma would be losing a pair of talented players if the reports come to fruition, but the Sooners did add a commitment from UCF transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel who appears to be OU’s new starting quarterback to begin the Brent Venables era.

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Going shopping once again: Three defensive backs the Sooners could target via the transfer portal

Three defensive backs the Sooners should pursue via the transfer portal. Names like Trey Morrison, Eric Reed, and Darion Green-Warren in play

While much has been made about the Oklahoma Sooners’ offensive pursuits through the portal with receivers and quarterbacks, should the Oklahoma Sooners also be looking at defensive backs?

The defensive backs weren’t horrible when largely healthy but the Sooners lost their two most trusted players on the back end to the NFL Draft (Delarrin Turner-Yell) and Stanford (Pat Fields). While reports of Jay Valai being the next Sooners defensive backs coach are out there, the Sooners may see defensive backs hit the portal before and after his hiring as guys look for a fresh start. They could also feel as if a new coach may not afford them the same chances they may have thought they would get with Roy manning or Alex Grinch still in the fold.

The Sooners still need game-ready bodies back in the secondary. While they have some talented incoming freshman set to join the squad, the Oklahoma Sooners shouldn’t go into 2022 relying on true freshman on the back end.

Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a few names that may fit just what the Sooners could be looking for.

Eric Reed, CB

The first name that stands out as part of the current potential portal possibilities is Eric Reed. Reed is a cornerback out of Louisiana who left the state to go play for the Auburn Tigers.

Out of high school, many weren’t sure where his best fit was but he can play high-level football at a multitude of positions in the secondary. He’s not played much in college but why not get a fresh start and give him the chance to earn his stripes under a new coach with no preconceived notions about him at all?

Trey Morrison, DB

Trey Morrison is probably the opposite of Reed in the sense that Morrison has played a lot of snaps at the college level. Morrison appeared in 11 games as a true freshman for the North Carolina Tar Heels, starting 10, at nickelback in 2019. That season, he totaled 46 tackles, two sacks, 5.5 TFL, and four pass breakups.

In 2020, he started all 12 games at defensive back and was All-ACC Honorable Mention which included 39 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, three PBU, and one INT. While physically he’s not the biggest player, he’s productive and he’s very experienced.

Over four seasons, Morrison has played in 44 games in college. He gives the Sooners a veteran presence and more position versatility as they ook to retool and rest their secondary going into the 2022 season.

Darion Green-Warren, CB

If you’ve followed the Sooners on the recruiting trail, this name will probably ring a bell. Darion Green-Warren was at one time a hard Sooners recruit. He was recruited most heavily by Kerry Cooks who is no longer with the program.

Green-Warren decommited following the hiring of Alex Grinch in 2019 after being committed to the Sooners for almost an entire year. He would eventually end up at Michigan in 2020 and put his name in the transfer portal recently.

Can Brent Venables lead the charge to get him to finally land at Oklahoma? For the Sooners, it may be worth revisiting. After all, none of the defensive coaches involved with that recruit are on the staff anymore.

While none of these names have reportedly received an Oklahoma offer, the Sooners are in the business of reshaping the roster in the image of Brent Venables. No name is off the table and quite frankly it shouldn’t be as they continue to retool heading into the 2022 season.

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Todd bates, Sooners pursuing All-SEC Freshman defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo

After a freshman season that saw him earn an ALL-SEC freshman nod, DL Mekhi Wingo entered the transfer portal is being pursued by OU.

Todd Bates has hit the ground running since he landed in Norman. He’s offering guys from the 2024 class, receiving calls from 2023 kids, and is now in pursuit of a very talented and productive freshmen defensive lineman from the SEC.

Missouri’s Mekhi Wingo entered his name into the transfer portal earlier this week and just days later has connected with Oklahoma and their new defensive tackles coach.

Wingo played a lot on the interior of Missouri’s defensive line in his first and only year in Eli Drinkwitz’s program. He was a three-star recruit out of high school and is Missouri raised. Considering he was part of the 2021 freshman class, he’ll have three more years of eligibility.

His first year was about as good as you can expect for a freshman playing in a conference oozing with the defensive line talent.

Wingo played in all 13 games for Missour in 2021 as a true freshman with four starts. He recorded 27 tackles and one sack and returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown. While the numbers weren’t particularly gaudy it’s clear he was very disruptive to garner such an honor.

While Todd Bates plans to pursue Wingo, it’s important to note that according to those linked more closely with the Missouri football program believe he could be heading further south to LSU. Wingo’s former high school coach, former Missouri defensive back Robert Steeples was just hired at LSU. LSU, like Oklahoma, is in a transition with a new head coach and could use an infusion of talent from someone like Wingo.

Other teams that are in pursuit of Mekhi Wingo include USC, Nebraska, UNC, and West Virginia. The first step will be getting Wingo in for a visit and with Todd Bates recruiting prowess and the need for more bodies, you have to like Oklahoma’s chances.

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Per On3’s WeAreUSC, Caleb Williams planning visit with USC and UCLA

According to a report from On3’s WeAreUSC, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams is planning a visit weekend with USC and UCLA

The saga surrounding Caleb Williams continues as he explores the transfer portal for what could be his next opportunity and new “home”.

While reports have included a host of schools interested in adding the Sooners quarterback. It appears USC is on the list and Caleb Williams is interested in hooking up with his former OU head coach, Lincoln Riley. According to Scott Schrader of On3 Sports’ WeAreUSC (subscription required), Williams and his family are set to make a trip to Los Angeles this weekend to visit with USC and UCLA.

Fast forward two days and we’re now told Riley reached out separately to Caleb and his father. We’re told he reached Caleb, but not his father. We’re told his father prefers to talk to Riley in person.

Talking to Riley in person obviously requires a 4 1/2 hour plane ride from the East Coast to Los Angeles. And we’re told the Williams will be making that trip as early as this weekend.

What we’re told is they’ll visit both USC and UCLA while in Southern California.  – Schrader, WeAreUSC

Though Caleb Williams left the door open for a possible return to Oklahoma, Dillon Gabriel’s immediate commitment to OU after Williams transfer portal announcement seems to indicate that the Sooners starting quarterback from 2021 is all but gone.

It’s not all that surprising that Williams would be exploring USC and meeting with Lincoln Riley. Riley’s success at OU with getting quarterbacks into the NFL has been a big draw for top quarterbacks. In Williams statement about hitting the portal, development for the NFL was a top priority.

While Caleb Williams and his family have left a shroud of mystery around his future, the further we get away from Riley’s sudden departure from OU, the more likely it seems that USC is Williams’ eventual destination.

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Oklahoma Sooners fall on the wrong side of USA TODAY Sports’ ‘Winners and Losers’ of Bowl season

Despite the Alamo Bowl win, the Sooners have seen a bunch of turnover and turmoil over the last month and a half.

Much of the last month and a half for the Oklahoma Sooners has been fraught with turmoil. From the coaching change to decommitments, the Oklahoma Sooners have had to work to repair the damage done by Lincoln Riley and his departure to USC.

With a top 10 recruiting class in 2022 and the latest additions of transfers into the program, the Sooners reclamation project is coming to fruition. However, just as they entered the offseason, still reveling in their Alamo Bowl win over the Oregon Ducks, quarterback Caleb Williams made the decision to enter the transfer portal. Along with him is promising wide receiver Mario Williams, who has indicated that he wants to play with Caleb Williams.

Paul Myerburg of USA TODAY Sports chose his “Winners and Losers” from the 2021 bowl season and while the Big 12 came up on the positive side of the ledger, the Sooners last month hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows.

Winning the Alamo Bowl with Stoops on the sidelines and new coach Brent Venables ready to take over was exactly what the program needed after losing Lincoln Riley to Southern California in late November. But then came another enormous loss: Caleb Williams, the star freshman who took over early in Big 12 play and surged into the Heisman Trophy race, announced this week he would be entering the transfer portal “to see who may offer the best preparation and development for my future career.” While he has the option of staying at OU, that the Sooners just took a commitment from UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel suggests the staff has already planned for life without Williams. – Myerburg

It didn’t take long for the Oklahoma Sooners to respond to the transfer portal entry if Caleb Williams. As Myerburg suggests, the announcement of Dillon Gabriel’s arrival through the portal is telling. While Williams left the door open for a return in his transfer announcement, Mario Williams’ departure makes it fairly clear that the Sooners have prepared for life without Caleb Williams in 2022 and beyond.

While there’s an overarching confidence in the future of Oklahoma football with Brent Venables at the helm and Jeff Lebby calling the offense, it always hurts to lose good players. The Oklahoma Sooners will recover. Despite the turnover, they’ll be one of the favorites for the Big 12 once again in 2022.

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Oklahoma Sooners land transfer defensive lineman Jonah Laulu from Hawaii

The Oklahoma Sooners land Hawaii defensive lineman Jonah Laulu through the transfer portal.

The Oklahoma Sooners had a tall task this offseason replacing transfers, graduates, and double-digit NFL hopefuls but they are slowly but surely reaping the benefits of the transfer portal. So far this offseason names like Daniel Parker Jr, McKade Mettauer, Dillon Gabriel all will be making their way to Norman, Oklahoma for 2022.

The Sooners have added another transfer, this time Hawaii defensive lineman Jonah Laulu. The Nevada native adds depth to a depleted defensive line room.

 

Laulu is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-6 with a listed weight of 290 pounds. He had four sacks and one fumble recovery for the Warriors this year. Laulu hails from Las Vegas, Nevada, and attended the same high school as former Sooner turned New England Patriot Rhamondre Stevenson.

You have to imagine fellow Las Vegas native DeMarco Murray offered some words of confidence to Laulu on top of what Miguel Chavis was pitching him.

Laulu adds flexibility and experience to the Sooners. Over the past two seasons, Laulu has started 18 games for the Warriors and totaled 59 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.

Laulu played multiple spots along the defensive line lining up at the edge and in the interior plugging up the A gaps. The Sooners need that type of versatility as the  Swiss Army knife for their defensive line, Isaiah Thomas, declared for the NFL draft. There is virtually no significant production coming from the edge returning to Oklahoma next year so that spot offers a great opportunity for Laulu to make a splash.

Laulu’s experience and production will give him an opportunity to make a significant impact for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2022.

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Per report, former Texas QB Casey Thompson has Oklahoma among top transfer destinations

Though Nebraska’s the favorite, Oklahoma included as a possible destination for former Texas Longhorns quarterback Casey Thompson.

The Oklahoma Sooners have been on both sides of the transfer portal since the end of the 2021 regular season. They’ve watched Spencer Rattler find a new home with former assistant Shane Beamer at South Carolina. Their most recent starter Caleb Williams entered the transfer portal, though he’s keeping the possibility of an Oklahoma return on the table. While the Sooners await his decision, they received a commitment from former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who was previously heading to UCLA to play with Chip Kelly.

It’s been a wild month in this transfer portal cycle and the Oklahoma Sooners may not be done yet adding veteran quarterbacks.

According to Mitch Sherman, who covers the Nebraska Cornhuskers for The Athletic, former Texas Longhorns quarterback and Oklahoma native, Casey Thompson, is considering the University of Oklahoma as his next quarterbacking destination.

Sherman, who spoke with Thompson’s father Charles during Casey Thompson’s visit to Lincoln to meet with the Cornhuskers, indicated that Thompson is considering Nebraska, Oklahoma, Auburn, Indiana, and Missouri.

With the Sooners recently adding Dillon Gabriel, it is a bit surprising that Oklahoma would be on the list. However, with Charles Thompsons’ history as an Oklahoma Sooners quarterback, anything is possible. Nebraska is the favorite to land the former Longhorns quarterback, but the Sooners staying on the list is significant. In a quarterback battle, it’s unlikely he would start, Gabriel’s been the more prolific passer at the college level. However, having two veteran quarterbacks available to you would be beneficial in the event of an injury.

Thompson started 10 games for Texas in 2021. He completed 63% of his passes for 2,112 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions for the Longhorns who had an underwhelming season, finishing 5-7.

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