The Oklahoma Sooners and the transfer portal did not have the ideal start. Essentially the entire receiving core, as well as quarterback Jackson Arnold, have left, casting doubt on the 2025 season. However, as December progresses, their fortunes begin to change around.
Oklahoma Is Winning Big in the Transfer Portal.
The Exodus in Oklahoma
Last week, we saw a number of people announce their plan to depart Oklahoma. While seeing so many students leave a school is never a good thing, Brent Venables isn’t concerned about the portal right now. The majority of players who visit the transfer portal will not be missed. Those who are about to graduate or enter the NFL draft will be.
This year, the vast majority of the defense is out of eligibility. Names like Billy Bowman, Trace Ford, and Ethan Downs made a big difference this year and will be gone by 2025. To make matters worse, Oklahoma will be on the road for some of its most difficult games yet. The transfer portal represents the Sooners’ last option to get much-needed replacements.
Mateer Is Moving In.
The greatest news, of course, is that the Sooners have signed the top quarterback in the country. As of this week, Washington State’s John Mateer has followed Ben Arbuckle to the Panhandle. There have been many large acquisitions, but none have been as significant as this.
Mateer is coming off a tremendous season. Mateer had 44 touchdowns in 2024, leading the country. In addition, he was directly or indirectly responsible for more over 3,000 yards of offense.
Mateer’s decision is an even larger win given the opposition Oklahoma had in wooing him. Not only did the Miami Hurricanes try to court him, but so did an NFL icon. North Carolina’s new head coach, Bill Belichick, made a last-ditch effort to persuade Mateer. It was all for naught, though, as Mateer will return to the Sooners for his second season in the SEC next season.
Oklahoma’s biggest Week 2 wins
In addition to Mateer, it appears that Venables has learned his lesson about recruiting. The majority of the big names Venables recruited were injured early in the season and have since transferred. Last year’s transfer portal recruiting push had too much flash and not enough steak, so what will Venables bring to the table this year?
Keontez Lewis, a receiver from Southern Illinois, appears to be a nice fit for Mateer. Lewis finished the season with 790 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Javonnie Gibson, a receiver from Arkansas Pine-Bluff, is also joining up. Gibson, a freshman, is already creating a name for himself. He leaves the FCS with more than 1,200 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Stanford offensive tackle Luke Baklenko, Kennesaw State’s Jacob Ulrich, Western Carolina offensive lineman Derek Simmons, and Arkansas wide receiver/kick returner Isaiah Sategna have all committed to Oklahoma.
What are the portal’s future targets?
Oklahoma still has more opportunities to recruit. This is why it may be beneficial that so many glass cannons choose to exit. It frees up roster space and allows Venables to correct his course.
We know that past candidates Jerand Bradley and Donaven McCulley should be out of the running. Their injury-prone 2024 seasons don’t bode well for a future with Oklahoma. So, who else is on the Oklahoma Sooners’ radar in the transfer portal?
Corey Robinson, Georgia Tech’s LT. Robinson is currently the best tackle in the country, and his career demonstrates this. He’s in Oklahoma this weekend, but the pursuit isn’t finished. Even as winter arrives, he hopes he will not be ignored by Oklahoma.
Tyler Mercer, North Texas – C. The previous Mean Green recruit may not have worked out, but Mercer could. He’s also a freshman, so if he digs Oklahoma, he may stay on the squad for years. This season, Mercer played 565 snaps at center.
Amarion Fortenberry of South Alabama-DB. With so many defenders graduating this season, replacing them is critical. With players like Fortenberry in the portal and Venables’ defensive history, this should not be a problem. Forternberry is a true freshman, with 43 tackles and two interceptions to his name thus far, a total that will undoubtedly increase as his career advances.
Final thoughts on the second week of transfers.
This is a great bunch to bring in. Following the onslaught of talent last week, things seemed bleak for the Sooners. Furthermore, Venables’ recruiting record has not been stellar. Whether it’s the inclusion of Arbuckle or another guiding hand, things are already looking up.
There’s still a lot of work to be done. While we don’t know who the next commit will be, you can count on Last Word On Sports to be right here in Norman with the most up-to-date information on everything Oklahoma Sooners during the postseason.
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