Tag: Oklahoma Sooners Football

Oklahoma Sooners freshman offensive lineman enters the transfer portal

According to a report from CBS Sports/247Sports, Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman is entering the transfer portal.

The Oklahoma Sooners added an offensive lineman via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] on Monday: former Stanford offensive tackle Luke Baklenko.

It was also reported that John Mateer is expected to enter the portal. He is expected to be a top target for the Sooners.

Well, as the portal giveth on Monday, it also taketh away. According to Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer of 247Sports/CBS Sports, former four-star offensive lineman [autotag]Eugene Brooks[/autotag] is entering the portal.

Brooks played in four games in 2024, serving on special teams for the Sooners. He’ll have four years of eligibility remaining.

Out of Chatsworth, California, Brooks was a former top 100 prospect, according to 247Sports, and the No. 3 interior offensive lineman. The Sooners earned his commitment over offers from Texas, Arizona, BYU, Cal, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Texas A&M, UNLV, USC and Washington State.

Oklahoma is expected to return incumbent starting guards Heath Ozaeta and Febechi Nwaiwu for 2025. Eddy Pierre-Louis, a fellow four-star from the 2024 class, was impressive in his limited playing time. Okahoma added impressive interior offensive line prospects Darius Afalava and Owen Hollenbeck and top 10 offensive tackle prospects Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje in the 2025 recruiting class.

Oklahoma’s offensive line depth is improved from where it was a year ago and with the reduction in roster spots, it isn’t too surprising to see even a once highly coveted prospect like Brooks hit the transfer portal.

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Washington State quarterback officially in transfer portal per report

Washington State Cougars quarterback expected to enter the transfer portal per reports.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

According to multiple reports, Washington State quarterback John Mateer has entered the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. It was first reported by Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer of 247Sports/CBS Sports. Mateer will have two years of eligibility remaining. According to OUInsider’s Parker Thune and Brandon Drumm, Mateer is expected to have a “no contact” tag on his portal entry.

Monday afternoon, ESPN’s Max Olson provided an update to the story, reporting that Mateer is now officially in the transfer portal.

Mateer is considered the top player in the portal, according to 247Sports, after leading the NCAA with 44 total touchdowns in 2024. He had a fantastic season under the direction of new Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and offensive analyst John Kuceyeski.

In 2024, Mateer completed 64.6% of his passes for 3,139 yards and 29 passing touchdowns. He also ran for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Cougars.

Mateer is expected to play for Washington State in their bowl game on Dec. 27. But it’s unclear if this news will alter those plans.

The connection to Arbuckle and Kuceyeski should give the Sooners a leg up in Mateers’ recruitment, but teams like Miami will also be in hot pursuit.

The Oklahoma Sooners have had a lot of success with transfer portal quarterbacks over the last 10 years. Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Dillon Gabriel all had great seasons for the Sooners after making the move to Norman.

Mateer’s familiarity with Arbuckles system would make for a smooth transition and be an important domino to fall for the Oklahoma Sooners in the transfer portal.

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Oklahoma Sooners earn commitment from transfer offensive lineman

The Oklahoma Sooners picked up a commitment from transfer offensive tackle Luke Baklenko.

The Oklahoma Sooners added to their offensive line ranks on Monday, earning a commitment from former Stanford Cardinal Luke Baklenko. He’s Oklahoma’s second addition in the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] this cycle.

According to Pro Football Focus in 2024, Baklenko played in 10 games, starting nine,. He played 1,016 snaps for Stanford over two seasons, including 646 this season, for an offense that finished 104th in the nation in scoring.

According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 22 total pressures this season and four sacks.

He’s an experienced player who will add to the offensive tackle competition this offseason. The unit was damaged in 2024, losing Jacob Sexton, Jake Taylor, and Michael Tarquin to injuries at various points during the season.

Baklenko primarily played right tackle for Stanford in 2024 but also saw 34 snaps against Cal toward the end of the season. He’s an experienced player that will have a leg up on the right tackle job this offseason.

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Former Oklahoma Sooners QB commits to Auburn Tigers

Former Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback heading to the Auburn Tigers.

Former five-star prospect and Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] has a new home via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag], committing to the Auburn Tigers on Saturday morning, according to On3 Sports.

Arnold, who started 10 games for the Oklahoma Sooners, including the Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona in 2023, was the National Gatorade Player of the Year for 2022 and 2022 Elite 11 MVP coming out of high school. After sitting for a year behind 2024 Heisman finalist [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], Arnold took the reigns of the Oklahoma offense.

Arnold and the Sooners offense struggled throughout the season due to injuries and inconsistent offensive line play. With limited experience, Arnold couldn’t overcome the instability around him. Turnovers against Tennessee forced him to the bench, but he stayed ready and came back against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

From that point on, Arnold kept the quarterback job. Arnold had some good moments over the second half of the season but still struggled with turnovers, including a costly fumble against the Missouri Tigers.

Arnold bounced back from the loss to Missouri with a solid performance against Maine. He then led OU to a win over Alabama with his ability to run the football. In the win over the Crimson Tide, Arnold carried the ball 25 times for 131 yards.

In 2024, Arnold completed 62.6% of his passes for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran for 444 yards and three touchdowns.

With Ben Arbuckle as their new offensive coordinator, the Sooners opted to take a new approach on offense. Michael Hawkins Jr. will start the bowl game, and the Sooners are likely to pursue a veteran quarterback option via the transfer portal.

Arnold will head to Auburn to replace Payton Thorne as the Tigers’ starting quarterback and help the Tigers improve upon their 5-7 season in 2024. That continues the trend of Sooners heading to other SEC teams after Brenen Thompson landed with Mississippi State and Bauer Sharp committed to LSU on Friday.

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Oklahoma Sooners miss out on pair of transfer wide receiver targets

Oklahoma Sooners miss out on a pair of wide receiver targets on Friday.

It’s no secret the Oklahoma Sooners are in the market for wide receivers in the winter [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] period. After losing Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq, Andrel Anthony, Brenen Thompson, and Jaquaize Pettaway, the receiver depth chart is left without a lot of experience and production at the collegiate level.

Oklahoma targeted former Indiana receiver [autotag]Donaven McCulley[/autotag] and former Miami (Ohio) wideout [autotag]Reginald Virgil[/autotag]. Both players came off the board on Friday as McCulley stayed in the Big Ten and committed to Michigan. Virgil bypassed the Sooners for the Big 12, committing to Texas Tech.

It was felt that the Sooners had a great shot at Virgil, who is a childhood friend of OU wide receiver Jayden Gibson. Instead, it’s the Red Raiders that add Virgil.

So, the Oklahoma Sooners will continue their pursuit of big wide receivers with a track record of production at the collegiate level. They’ve been in pursuit of former Cal receiver Nyziah Hunter.

Hunter was a former four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class out of Salinas, California. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Hunter recorded 40 receptions for 578 yards and five touchdowns for the Golden Bears.

Deion Burks’ future remains uncertain. While Jayden Gibson’s timeline puts him on track to return for fall camp, after the season OU just had at wide receiver, they need more security at the position.

Wide receivers coach Emmett Jones and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle have their work cut out for them rebuilding the wide receiver depth chart moving forward.

The Sooners will have a busy weekend as they host offensive linemen and wide receiver targets to bolster an offense that has to improve in 2025.

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Oklahoma Sooners add Punter via transfer portal

Oklahoma Sooners make their first addition of the winter transfer portal period.

The Oklahoma Sooners made their first addition of the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] in punter Jacob Ulrich. Ulrich arrives from the Sooners after spending his freshman season with Kennesaw State.

Ulrich saw a lot of work for the Stats, a team that had one of the worst offenses in the country. He averaged 46 yards per punt on the season, which was 14th in the nation, but was also first in the nation in punting yards and second in the nation in punt attempts.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ulrich was tied for third in the nation in punts downed inside the 20 at 28.

Ulrich will have an opportunity to earn the punting role vacated by Luke Elzinga, who has been one of the Sooners’ most consistent players over the last two seasons. Elzinga was a weapon for Oklahoma in 2024 as the Sooners attempted to play the field position game, and the OU decision-makers hope Ulrich can play a similar role.

He’ll need to improve his average hang time of 3.71 seconds, which was tied for No. 62 out of 93 punters at the FBS level with at least 41 punts the season, per PFF. That low hang time led to a nation-high 33 punts returned at an average of 9.6 yards per return.

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Former Sooners starting tight end commits to LSU Tigers

Oklahoma Sooners transfer portal tight end Bauer Sharp commits to the LSU Tigers.

Another Oklahoma Sooners product has found a new home via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. After it was reported that Brenen Thompson committed to Mississippi State, tight end [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag] has reportedly committed to the LSU Tigers.

Sharp led the Oklahoma Sooners in receiving in 2024 after making the move from Southeastern Louisiana State last offseason.

He’s an athletic tight end that wasn’t used quite properly in the Sooners passing attack. Only 12 of his 55 targets came on throws 10 yards or more down the field.

It was an up-and-down season for Sharp, who is still developing as a tight end after making the move from quarterback early in his collegiate career. But he was one of the few bright spots in the passing game.

Too many times, however, the offensive coordinators asked Sharp to be the point man on trick plays instead of taking advantage of his athleticism down the field.

Now, Sharp will have the opportunity to face much more favorable coverages with the Tigers, who employ an impressive group of wide receivers. In 2024, Sharp led the Sooners with 42 catches and 327 yards receiving. He also had two receiving touchdowns this season for the Sooners.

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Former Oklahoma Sooners wide recevier transferring to Mississippi State

Former Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver reunites with Jeff Lebby at Mississippi State.

The Oklahoma Sooners have seen a number of players on the offensive side of the ball hit the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. On Thursday, Brenen Thompson departed OU via the portal and found his landing spot less than 24 hours later. .

The former wide receiver from Texas and Oklahoma will reunite with Jeff Lebby, according to On3’s Pete Nakos, after Thompson committed to Mississippi State.

Despite leading the Sooners in snaps and starting 11 games, Thompson finished fourth in receptions and receiving yards. Over the course of his two seasons in Norman, he recorded 26 receptions for 471 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 18.1 yards per reception.

Thompson may not be the last offensive player to join Lebby in Starkville. Earlier in the week former quarterback Jackson Arnold was linked to Mississippi State but was also expected to have visits with Georgia and Auburn along the way.

Thompson will be going into his fourth season at the collegiate level and will have one more year of eligibility.

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Where does Oklahoma vs. Navy in Armed Forces Bowl rank among bowl games?

Where does USA TODAY Sports rank Oklahoma vs. Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl among this year’s bowl games?

If you’ve been itching to see some throwback football, this year’s Armed Forces Bowl may be just what the doctor ordered. The Oklahoma Sooners will take on the Navy Midshipmen in a game that could resemble the “three yards and a cloud of dust” era of the game.

The Navy Midshipmen launch ground offensives to find success. Navy boasts one of the nation’s best rushing attacks with their triple option look. They’re averaging 247 rushing yards per game, which ranks eighth in the nation. Their 46 rushing attempts per game is No. 5 in the nation.

Oklahoma would prefer to have a bit more of an aerial attack, but where they’ve had success over the last month of the season, dating back to the loss to Ole Miss in Oxford, is with the ground game. They used it to beat up Alabama to the tune of 257 yards rushing and a 24-3 win. The Sooners run game is averaging 154 rushing yards per game, which is No. 24 in the nation ahead of bowl season.

There may not be a whole lot of passing but it’ll still be a fun matchup. The Sooners and Midshipmen have only played once, with Navy earning a 10-0 win back in 1965. Can the Sooners even the all-time series in a game USA TODAY Sports believes is the 16th best bowl matchup of the 2024 bowl season?

Aside from ruining things for Alabama, the Sooners’ first ride through the SEC was quite bumpy. Preparing against an academy option attack is always a challenge, and the Midshipmen could make a game of it as long as they don’t put the ball on the turf. – Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma’s run defense, one of the best in the nation, will be tested. The Sooners have been stout up front, and their second—and third-level defenders have provided excellent run support all season. They should be able to stifle Navy’s rushing attack, but if the offense can’t get going, we may be in store for a low-scoring game.

The Sooners would like to get the passing attack going with Michael Hawkins Jr. to get him more experience, but with the wide receivers that have entered the portal, there will be a lot of inexperience on the outside for the Sooners. So you may see a battle of run games in Fort Worth on December 27.

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Oklahoma linebacker earns All-American honors

Oklahoma Linebacker Danny Stutsman earns Walter Camp All-American first-team selection.

The Oklahoma Sooners defense took another big step in 2024, finishing the season by allowing just 21.6 points per game, good for 34th in the nation. In each of Brent Venables’ three seasons at Oklahoma, they’ve improved in points per game allowed as a defense. The tip of the spear for the Sooners’ defensive resurgence has been senior linebacker Danny Stutsman.

Stutsman was named a Walter Camp All-American first-team selection on Thursday evening at the ESPN College Football Awards show. That’s his second first-team selection after being named to the CBS Sports All-American team. Stutsman also earned second-team All-American honors from USA TODAY Sports.

In 2024, Stutsman became just the second Oklahoma linebacker to record 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons, joining former star Travis Lewis, who accomplished the feat from 2008-2010.

It’s been a banner year for Stutsman, who was also a finalist for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top linebacker. Georgia’s Jalon Walker earned that distinction.

Stutsman was a leader for the program, on and off the field. His steady hand in the middle of the Sooners’ defense helped OU become one of the best-run defenses in the country.

Now, Danny Stutsman will head off to the NFL with a chance to be selected in the top two rounds in the 2025 NFL draft.

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