OU transfer portal: Potential targets, positions of need, new additions

The spring transfer portal is officially closed and OU will be active once again.

Oklahoma added 11 scholarship players in the transfer portal in January and has already added one more in Texas receiver Brenen Thompson. OU’s also lost five players to the portal this spring in cornerback Jaden Davis, defensive lineman Kori Roberson, defensive back Jamarrien Burt, safety Damond Harmon and offensive lineman Cullen Montgomery.

While Oklahoma isn’t expected to have a lot of roster turnover, it wouldn’t be a surprise if a few more players are added before the summer.

“You just again look at your roster. What your needs are,” head coach Brent Venables said April 20. “And where you feel like somebody could make you better if it’s short term or maybe again if you really would rather have somebody that has a few more years in the program… I don’t want to trick anybody into coming to Oklahoma. I want them to have a very clear vision about what our expectations are, how challenging it is going to be. I don’t think it’s any different here than it is in whatever locker room you go into, it’s going to be really hard.”

Here’s everything you need to know about where OU stands in the transfer portal after spring practice:

In the transfer portal

Jaden Davis, cornerback: Davis is the most experienced Sooner to enter the portal this spring, playing in 47 games in four seasons and making nine starts at corner last season. His departure wasn’t unexpected though, as Oklahoma will look to replace his production with younger talent such as junior Kendel Dolby, sophomore Gentry Williams and true freshman Jasiah Wagoner, among others. 

Kori Roberson, defensive line: Many expected Roberson to transfer following the 2022-23 season, but he opted until the spring to enter, as he will graduate in May. He played in 26 games in four years and totaled 29 tackles, but did not appear in a game last season. 

Jamarrien Burt, defensive back: Burt was a part of Venables’ first recruiting class, after originally committing to Florida. The three-star never saw the field for the Sooners though, and with an abundance of depth at cornerback and safety, it made sense for him to enter the portal this spring. 

Damond Harmon, safety: Harmon has been a contributor in Oklahoma’s secondary the past two season, playing in 23 games and making 22 tackles. A four-star recruit in the 2021 class, many had high hopes for Harmon, but with the additions of Texas Tech safety Reggie Pearson and true freshman safety Peyton Bowen, among others, Harmon likely saw the writing on the wall. 

Cullen Montgomery, offensive line: A redshirt sophomore, Montgomery didn’t appear in a single game for the Sooners. A four-star prospect out of high school, Montgomery was expected to eventually become a contributor, but that never came to fruition in Norman.

Transfer portal additions

Brenen Thompson, wide receiver, Texas: Thompson was a much-needed addition to OU’s receiver room, which is looking to replace the production of Marvin Mims Jr. A speedster, Thompson was a four-star prospect out of Spearman High School and played in nine games as a true freshman at Texas. He had only one reception for 32 yards, but is expected to play a larger role at Oklahoma next season. 

Hamp Fay, tight end, Michigan State (preferred walk-on): A former standout quarterback at Aledo High School, Fay is transferring to Oklahoma as a tight end. Fay played quarterback at Michigan State in 2021 before moving to safety and eventually tight end in 2022. He did not appear in a game for the Spartans, but does help OU at the position, which has little experience and depth, other than South Carolina transfer Austin Stogner. 

Positions of need

Offensive line: Oklahoma’s starting offensive line appears to be set, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for depth up front. Senior center Andrew Raym, redshirt-senior guard McKade Mettauer and redshirt-junior right tackle Tyler Guyton all started multiple games for the Sooners last season. Redshirt sophomore Savion Byrd is expected to compete for one of the starting guard spots and Stanford transfer Walter Rouse is expected to start at left tackle. But behind those five there is little experience – especially on the interior – which is why offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh might be looking to add a couple pieces this spring. 

Wide receiver: Even with the addition of Thompson, adding another wide receiver might be a smart thing to do. Junior Jalil Farooq is expected to lead the group, but OU has little depth beyond him with a room full of unproven playmakers. The staff has big expectations for Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony, as well as second-year receivers Jayden Gibson and Nic Anderson, but if there’s an opportunity to add a veteran and proven receiver to the group, Oklahoma should jump at the opportunity. 

Defensive line: There’s always room to add on the defensive line, right? Oklahoma focused on the defensive trenches during the first portal window in January, adding Notre Dame’s Jacob Lacey, Texas State’s Davon Sears, Wake Forest’s Rondell Bothroyd and Oklahoma State’s Trace Ford. Super seniors Jordan Kelley and Isaiah Coe, who both opted to return, should also be key contributors up front, as well as true freshmen Derrick LeBlanc and Adepoju Adebawore. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if they add one more up front, as depth on the defensive line and on the edge was a glaring issue last season. 

Potential transfer portal targets

Troy Everett, offensive line, Appalachian State: Everett is one of the top interior offensive linemen available in the portal and has received an Oklahoma offer. He started six games at center for the Mountaineers in 2022 and played in 10 of their 12 games. He likely wouldn’t start for the Sooners next season, but could be a reliable and experienced backup with the potential to start in 2024. 

Matthew Wykoff, offensive line, Texas A&M: Another interior offensive lineman, Wykoff started nine games at center for Texas A&M as a freshman in 2022 and was a SEC All-Freshman Team selection. Wykoff was a three-star prospect in the 2021 class, fielding offers from the likes of Arkansas, Auburn and Notre Dame. 

Konnor Near, linebacker, Ferris State: A 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker, Near totaled 66 tackles and three sacks at Ferris State. Oklahoma defensive coordinator Ted Roof offered Near April 29, joining Michigan State, West Virginia, Georgia Tech and several others. Oklahoma appears set at linebacker, but junior Danny Stutsman is the only player returning with experience, which might be why OU offered Near. 

Jyaire Shorter, wide receiver, North Texas: Shorter was North Texas’ leading receiver in 2022, totaling 23 receptions for 628 yards and 11 touchdowns. A deep-ball specialist, Shorter could help fill the void Mims left behind. He also would bring some much-needed experience, playing five seasons for former North Texas head coach and now-OU offensive analyst Seth Littrell. 

Zakhari Franklin, wide receiver, UTSA: Franklin is arguably the top receiver on the market, leaving UTSA as the school’s all-time leading receiver in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Last season, he totaled 94 receptions for 1,136 yards and 15 touchdowns. Though, it doesn’t appear Oklahoma has shown much interest just yet. 

Keon Coleman, wide receiver Michigan State: Many expected Coleman to be a Sooner a couple years ago, but he ended up with the Spartans. Last season, Coleman totaled 58 receptions, 798 yards and seven touchdowns. Coleman would make a lot of sense for Oklahoma, though, LSU is another spot to watch.

Seydou Traore, tight end, Colorado: While OU already added a tight end Fay, it would be hard to pass up on Traore. From London, England, Traore started his career at Arkansas State where he totaled 62 receptions for 752 yards and four touchdowns in two seasons. He transferred to Colorado following the 2022 season and announced he was back in the portal April 30. At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds he could provide some good size to the Sooners’ tight end room. 

Charles Brantley, cornerback, Michigan State: Brantley is the latest portal player to receive an Oklahoma offer. Brantley started 12 games in two seasons at Michigan State, totaling 10 pass break ups and two interceptions. With Davis in the portal, maybe Brantley is a veteran Venables wants to add to his secondary.

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