Oklahoma Sooners hosting talented transfer player at a critical position of need this week
The Oklahoma Sooners have begun completely overhauling the offensive side of the ball, shuffling players out of the rotation in an effort to turn that unit around from a horrendous 2024 season. The Sooners have lost wide receivers Nic Anderson and Jaquaize Pettaway to the transfer portal, and could still have more losses coming. Pettaway's […]
The Oklahoma Sooners have begun completely overhauling the offensive side of the ball, shuffling players out of the rotation in an effort to turn that unit around from a horrendous 2024 season.
The Sooners have lost wide receivers Nic Anderson and Jaquaize Pettaway to the transfer portal, and could still have more losses coming. Pettaway's departure is a net positive, given his inability to get on the field, but the upside of Anderson is a tough one to replace. However, Anderson missed two of his three seasons at Oklahoma with injuries, and at some point, a line had to be drawn with availability.
Now, Oklahoma is set to play host to a talented wide receiver out of the transfer portal. According to On3, the Sooners will host former Indiana Hoosier Donaven McCulley on Monday.
The Sooners will have to fend off the Michigan Wolverines for his services. McCulley has visited the Wolverines twice this season, including last weekend after Michigan's upset win over the Ohio State Buckeyes. That might make this a tough uphill battle for Oklahoma, but the fact that he has yet to commit after being in the portal for two months is a good sign.
A former quarterback turned wide receiver, McCulley has caught 66 passes for 834 yards and eight touchdowns in his career. McCulley initially entered the portal last season but was convinced to stay by incoming head coach Curt Cignetti. However, the promises fell through, and McCulley entered the transfer portal in October.
McCulley has only played wide receiver for three seasons, but his talent is evident at the position. He's a gifted mover in space and excels at using his frame (6'3, 205) to make difficult catches look routine. Indiana frequently threw him jump balls and low-percentage throws that he snagged with ease. He has terrific hands as well with just three drops in his career. While he won't take the top off of a defense with his closer-to-average speed, he still makes for an effective vertical threat with his size and contested catch ability.
McCulley still has room to grow as a route-runner, but I came away relatively impressed by his ability to consistently find holes in zone coverage and work open.
These traits are important for Oklahoma, who lacked any size and contested ability in their wide receiver room this season. While McCulley isn't a 1:1 to Nic Anderson, he is still a gifted player in his own right, and he has yet to miss time with injury in his career.
McCulley has just one season of eligibility left.
