By Mark Pszonak
With action in the transfer portal slowing down, it is time to take a closer look at how each P4 school did during this cycle. Up now are the Oklahoma Sooners
The skinny: It was an interesting portal cycle for Oklahoma, who added several players who will be pivotal in 2024, but also lost a quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, who has the chance to break the FBS all-time passing yards record at his new school, Oregon. Head coach Brent Venables has placed his program’s fate in the hands of Jackson Arnold, who has the potential to excel, but has only attempted 69 passes during his collegiate career. Through the portal, Coach Venables was able to strengthen several positions, especially the offensive and defensive lines.
Total # entries into portal: 37
Total # of scholarship players who entered portal: 23
Number of scholarship players who withdrew: 0
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Key losses: QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon), OL Cayden Green (Missouri), Hollywood Smothers (NC State), WR Gavin Freeman (Oklahoma State), RB Tawee Walker (Wisconsin)
Key additions: DL Damonic Williams (TCU), OL Branson Hickman (SMU), OL Geirean Hatchett (Washington), DE Caiden Woullard (Miami-Ohio), TE Bauer Sharp (Southeastern Louisiana), WR Deion Burks (Purdue), DB Dez Malone (San Diego State), OL Spencer Brown (Michigan State), OL Febechi Nwaiwu (North Texas), TE Jake Roberts (Baylor)
Final thoughts: To help Jackson Arnold’s transition as a fulltime starter, the Sooners added three starters to their interior offensive line. Branson Hickman, Geirean Hatchett and Febechi Nwaiwu have all impressed since their arrival in Norman, while Spencer Brown will also add depth and experience. The offense was further enhanced with the signings of WR Deion Burks and the tight end duo of Jake Roberts and Bauer Sharp. Defensively, Damonic Williams was one of the top overall defensive transfers of this cycle, while Caiden Woullard is expected to be the pass rusher that the Sooners’ defense needed. Overall it was a very good cycle for Oklahoma, but it may not matter if Jackson Arnold does not perform up to expectations.
