Oklahoma Sooners lose transfer portal player to College Football Playoff team
The Oklahoma Sooners continue to lose players to the transfer portal, this time it seems to be because of a lack of success and potentially not having as much NIL money to give the players they are losing. Joshua Bates, a three-star recruit in the 2023 class, was recognized for his prowess at center and […]
The Oklahoma Sooners continue to lose players to the transfer portal, this time it seems to be because of a lack of success and potentially not having as much NIL money to give the players they are losing.
Joshua Bates, a three-star recruit in the 2023 class, was recognized for his prowess at center and even on the interior guard positions a bit, too. He committed to Oklahoma in August 2021, opting for the Sooners instead of offers from Colorado, USC, Oregon, Michigan State, and Colorado State. His commitment stood firm even after the transition from head coach Lincoln Riley to Brent Venables.
His freshman year at Oklahoma saw him play only in the season opener against Arkansas State, indicating a redshirt year. In 2024, he increased his game time, playing in five games and starting two at center. However, the offensive line as a whole was as bad as we have seen in some time, and the injuries to not only him, but his peers certainly did not help.
On December 9, 2024, he entered the transfer portal after a challenging season marked by an inconsistent offensive line performance and limited starting opportunities. He aimed to explore new avenues, with planned visits to Colorado and Mississippi State.
On Wednesday, Bates committed to SMU, the school just south of the Sooners down in Dallas, Texas. They are an up-and-coming school with Rhett Lashlee running things as head coach.
They have shown that they are not afraid to spend money, and being in the ACC Championship game, ultimately losing to the Clemson Tigers, only helped their cause when it came to recruiting. And, of course, we would be wrong not to mention the playoff berth they have this year as well.
Bates is smart for going just south, where he could potentially play a lot. And maybe got offered a good chunk of change to go there as well.
Former Sooners QB Jackson Arnold may have decided his transfer portal destination already
A reunion in the cards.
