Oklahoma Sooners just made a huge roster move through the transfer portal just before playing the Michigan Wolverines
The Oklahoma Sooners just added former Stephen F. Austin linebacker Jaydon Southard through the transfer portal.
The Oklahoma Sooners continue to add players after their season has already kicked off. Just days before OU played the UTEP Miners on Friday, the Sooners added former Boise State defensive tackle Braxton Fely, one of the better defensive tackles in the country over the past few years. That addition brought more depth to an already talented defensive front. But the moves didn’t stop there.
George Stoia of SoonerScoop reported earlier today that Oklahoma is also expected to add former Wisconsin and Miami cornerback D’Yoni Hill. Hill has played 43 games in his college career with 139 career tackles. For a secondary that remains young and lacks experience, Hill should be a significant addition once he learns the system. He’s the type of player you won’t be able to keep off the field because of that experience.
George Stoia is also reporting that OU is expected to add former Stephen F. Austin linebacker, Jaydon Southard. All of these players were granted an extra year of eligibility per last week’s court hearing in Cleveland County. This is not the same situation that LSU was trying to pull off, where they attempted to add former NFL players who didn’t quite make it and wanted to return to college. These guys never played for an NFL roster. They never played an NFL game. These are college athletes trying to get one extra year.
Southard’s production speaks for itself
Southard is a productive linebacker with impressive numbers. Just last year alone, he recorded 114 tackles, 53 of them solo, with 61 assisted tackles, 3 pass deflections, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception he returned for 17 yards. He has 173 career tackles to his name.
- 114 tackles (53 solo, 61 assisted) – 1.5 sacks – 3 pass deflections – 1 forced fumble – 1 interception (17-yard return) – 173 career tackles
OU is going to love Southard. Whether he can get on the field, though, is a different story. He’s already coming in late and will have to learn the defensive system. Brent Venables’ scheme isn’t easy to learn.
Where does Southard fit into this equation?
The Sooners have two of the best linebackers in the country starting at linebacker: Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke. Both are probably going to be drafted in this upcoming draft. Behind them, OU went and got Cole Sullivan, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Michigan who was supposed to be the Heinecke replacement if Heinecke wasn’t going to come back. Behind Kip Lewis is James Nesta, another redshirt sophomore. Both Sullivan and Nesta are really good football players, and their time will come next year when they are most likely the starters, unless other moves are made in the transfer portal.
So Southard’s path to playing time isn’t obvious right now. If nobody is injured on this team, finding a way for him to get on the field at linebacker will be difficult, especially this early in the season. But having him as a backup and depth piece will be valuable because he does have experience. He’s a really good tackler, as the numbers show. He’s also a player who can help guys like Dane Bathurst, who played well on Friday, continue to develop.
This is another significant move for Venables and his roster. The Sooners are putting together a championship-caliber roster, and they’re adding players because they can — Oklahoma’s depth is only getting better because of it.
