Oklahoma Sooners steal talented defender from hated rival in transfer portal, reinforcing critical position
The Oklahoma Sooners have snagged a few quality playmakers out of the transfer portal to help replenish their roster after a disappointing 2024 season. After landing Marvin Jones Jr. out of the portal yesterday, Oklahoma stole another quality defender. The fun part? He's from Oklahoma State, a bitter and hated rival of the Sooners. The […]
The Oklahoma Sooners have snagged a few quality playmakers out of the transfer portal to help replenish their roster after a disappointing 2024 season.
After landing Marvin Jones Jr. out of the portal yesterday, Oklahoma stole another quality defender. The fun part? He's from Oklahoma State, a bitter and hated rival of the Sooners.
The Sooners secured the commitment of safety/linebacker Kendal Daniels Monday morning. This move helps reinforce the Sooners' defensive depth which had suffered some attrition throughout the transfer period.
Daniels has been a do-it-all player for Oklahoma State over his career, playing in the box as a linebacker and edge rusher as well as deeper lining up in the slot, deep safety, and even outside at cornerback at times.
For the Sooners, Daniels seems likely to emerge as a "Cheetah", a hybrid nickel/safety/linebacker role. With Kendal Dolby still recovering from injury, Daniels gives Oklahoma a steady option to start and hold down the fort at a critical position.
Last season, the Sooners had to rotate in other players who weren't quite as good at the position that they needed at other positions. Woodi Washington kicked inside from playing outside corner, exposing their cornerback rotation. Oklahoma also played Samuel Omosigho at Cheetah as well as the season went on.
However, the linebacker room took some hits in the offseason, with Danny Stutsman declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft and Dason McCullough and Lewis Carter transferring away. The Sooners need to keep Omosigho at inside linebacker to help give them depth at the position.
Oklahoma has added two talented defenders to help keep the defense at an elite level heading into next season. They're still pursuing players on both sides of the ball, but spots are beginning to dry up until the spring window of the transfer portal.
For now, though, the Sooners can be content they've restocked and replenished plenty of talent after seeing 30 players depart in the portal.
