Sooners should drop everything they are doing and immediately reach out to a transfer portal LB who can fix their problems
The Sooners will need to hit the transfer portal for a linebacker.
It’s still unclear who will be in the Oklahoma Sooners’ linebacker room in 2026, raising concerns among supporters and analysts about the team’s future stability.
With Kobi McKinzie entering the transfer portal, Kip Lewis possibly entering the 2026 NFL Draft, and Owen Heinecke possibly graduating as he awaits an answer from the NCAA on his eligibility, the position group is a massive question mark this offseason.
Sammy Omosigho, Taylor Heim, Elgee Webster, Marcus James, Barrett Travis, James Nesta, Jacob Curry, Kristan Moore, and Beau Jandreau could enter the 2026 season on the roster. However, outside of the three true first-year students in the 2026 class, any of those guys could still enter the transfer portal.
Oklahoma likely needs to find at least one linebacker in the transfer portal, and former Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine would be the perfect fit.
Sooners need to look into transfer portal linebacker Austin Romaine
Head coach Brent Venables is great at getting the most out of his players, specifically the linebackers. He schemes up plays on defense that allow the linebackers to play their best. Look at the year Owen Heinecke, a former lacrosse player, just had as further proof.
Romaine is already an established college linebacker, one of the best in the country, with eligibility left, too. He has proven success in the run game and on blitzes, with at least seven sacks in the last two seasons.
Last season, when he played a full season, Romaine was among the highest-ranked defenders in Power Four football, with a 91 Pro Football Focus grade. Romaine would instantly come in and be the best lineabcker on that team.
Whether the Sooners can afford Romaine through NIL is uncertain, as he likely has multiple suitors, including the Missouri Tigers from nearby St. Louis. If the financials align, Romaine could be a game-changing addition, but competition for his commitment will be fierce.
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