Honestly, if you took a nap during the first week of January, you probably wouldn't even recognize the Oklahoma depth chart right now. It's been that fast. The Oklahoma football transfer portal cycle for 2026 hasn't just been a few minor tweaks; it’s been a full-blown reconstruction project led by Brent Venables and his general manager, Jim Nagy.
People see 20+ players leaving and panic. I get it. It looks like a house on fire from the outside. But if you look at who is actually coming in—and more importantly, who decided to stay—the vibe in Norman is a lot more "reloading" than "rebuilding."
Why the Oklahoma football transfer portal exodus isn't a crisis
Let's talk about the "mass exodus" everyone is buzzing about. Yes, seeing names like Michael Hawkins Jr. (West Virginia), Taylor Tatum (Michigan), and Gentry Williams (Georgia) leave stings. Tatum was the top-ranked back in his class. Williams has elite speed. Losing them to SEC rivals or Big Ten giants feels like a step back.
But here is the reality most fans miss: the "churn" is intentional.
Venables is clearly moving toward a specific prototype for the SEC. He wants length, he wants experience, and he wants guys who aren't looking at the portal the second they aren't RB1 on the depth chart. A lot of the departures were guys who saw the writing on the wall with the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes.
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Take the wide receiver room. Losing Zion Ragins and Zion Kearney to the portal feels heavy until you realize they were battling for snaps against a returning Isaiah Sategna. Getting Sategna back for 2026 is arguably a bigger "win" than any portal addition could have been. He’s a Second-Team All-SEC playmaker who already has chemistry with John Mateer.
Speaking of Mateer, his decision to return as the undisputed starter basically signaled to Michael Hawkins Jr. that it was time to find a new home. That’s just modern college football. You don't keep two starting-caliber QBs in the same room anymore. It doesn't happen.
The "Big Wins" you might have missed
While everyone was mourning the losses, the Sooners were quietly poaching starters from other SEC schools. This is where the 2026 strategy gets interesting.
The Jason Witten Effect
The most underrated move of the offseason wasn't a player; it was hiring Jason Witten as the tight ends coach. Within days, the Oklahoma football transfer portal activity at tight end went from "quiet" to "dominant."
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- Hayden Hansen (Florida): This was the first big splash. He started 25 straight games in the SEC. You can’t teach that kind of battle-scarred experience.
- Rocky Beers (Colorado State): He’s a touchdown machine (7 TDs last year) and brings that "Beers" family athleticism to Norman.
- Jack Van Dorselaer (Tennessee): Landing a commitment from a former four-star recruit out of Tennessee—who happens to be a Southlake Carroll kid—is a massive homecoming win.
Fixing the Trenches
You cannot survive the SEC with a "finesse" offensive line. Brent Venables knows this. He lived it. That’s why the addition of E’Marion Harris from Arkansas is so vital. Harris has played nearly every position on the line and started 24 games in this conference. He’s a "road grader" who provides an immediate insurance policy at right tackle.
Then you have Caleb Nitta from Western Kentucky. He’s not a flashy name, but he’s a veteran center who can provide depth that was desperately lacking last season when injuries started to pile up.
The Defense is getting a makeover
The linebacker room was supposed to be a disaster after losing Sammy Omosigho and Kobie McKinzie. Then Cole Sullivan happened.
Pulling Sullivan out of Michigan was a heist. He had 44 tackles and three interceptions as a sophomore in Ann Arbor. Pairing him with a returning Kip Lewis—who led the team in tackles last year—gives the Sooners a linebacker duo that might actually be faster than the 2025 unit.
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And don't overlook Kenny Ozowalu from UTSA. He was one of the most coveted edge rushers in the portal. Oklahoma beat out Texas for him. Whenever you beat the Longhorns for a kid who had a breakout freshman season, you’re doing something right.
What Oklahoma still needs to do
The portal window closes today, January 16, but the work isn't done. While the "entry" window shuts, the "commitment" window is still wide open.
Interior Defensive Line: Even with the addition of Bishop Thomas (Georgia State), the Sooners are thin behind David Stone and Jayden Jackson. If one of those two goes down, the drop-off is scary. They need one more "big body" who can eat double teams.
Cornerback Depth: Losing Gentry Williams and Kendel Dolby (Mississippi State) leaves a void. Dakoda Fields (Oregon) is a great high-ceiling addition, but they could use one more veteran who has played 500+ snaps at this level.
Actionable Insights for Sooner Fans
- Watch the post-spring window: The April portal window is usually for "depth," but expect OU to look for a veteran DT then if they don't land one this week.
- Follow the "Witten Trail": Jason Witten is proving to be a recruiting force. If a tight end is in the portal, Oklahoma is likely the favorite.
- Don't panic about the numbers: Churn is the new normal. Focus on "Snap Retention"—the Sooners are actually keeping a high percentage of their 2025 production, specifically on offense with Mateer and Sategna.
The 2026 roster is being built for a specific purpose: to stop being the "new guys" in the SEC and start being the team that dictates the terms of the game. It’s a risky gamble, trading potential for proven experience, but in a 12-team playoff era, it's the only way to play.
Next Steps: Keep a close eye on the final 24 hours of the winter window for any late entries from the defensive line ranks, as that remains the final piece of the 2026 puzzle for Venables.