OU lands kicker Tate Sandell from NCAA transfer portal

OU has landed a kicker in the NCAA transfer portal. UTSA’s Tate Sandell has signed with the Sooners, sources confirmed to SoonerScoop.

Sandell started his career at UTSA in 2022, when he redshirted. He was the starting kickoff man in 2023 and the place kicker in 2024. Last season, he was 19 of 23 on field goals with a career-long of 54 yards. He was also an impressive 17 of 18 from 49 yards or fewer. Sandell also had 85 kickoffs with a school-record 62 touchbacks.

Kicker was a priority for the Sooners in the spring transfer portal. OU brought in Kennesaw State transfer Austin Welch in the winter cycle. But after neither Welch nor Liam Evans emerged as a reliable option this spring, it forced Oklahoma to go searching for a kicker again. And the Sooners are hopeful Sandell is that guy.

“Like the body of work that we put in this spring,” coach Brent Venables said at the Crimson Combine. “And I like the best version I saw with punting and kicking was good. And the worst version was not good. So, still uneven, still a battle going into the summer. Had some windy conditions out there today, that’s good because we know it’s going to blow, the winds going to blow in the Fall here. Especially in this stadium, so you gotta be able to kick in whatever conditions there are.

“I think go back to the 2000… I think was it Tim Duncan, that kicked the knuckle ball to help us pull away from Kansas State 27-24 in Kansas City on a cold December night in windy snowy conditions. So that’s just what is required at that position. So, excited to see those guys grown and improve and get better.”

Sandell joins Cal running back Jaydn Ott, Stanford offensive lineman Jake Maikkula and Utah State defensive tackle Ricky Lolohea as the four transfers OU has added this spring.

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