Oklahoma needs Kip Lewis to return, but needs portal linebacker help

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The Oklahoma Sooners linebacker corps could see some significant turnover this offseason. Kobie McKinzie is expected to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2. Breakout star Owen Heinecke is appealing to the NCAA for another year of eligibility after playing three lacrosse games as a freshman at Ohio State. The other big name to watch is Kip Lewis.

Lewis led the Sooners in tackles with 76, which included 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks, both of which were third on the team. He was fifth in the SEC in stops and total pressures among off-ball linebackers. Beyond the stat sheet, Lewis became a leader for the Oklahoma Sooners’ defense this year after Danny Stutsman left for the NFL. And Lewis now has his own significant decision to make.

In each of the last two offseasons, Oklahoma was able to retain Stutsman and R Mason Thomas, key defensive leaders and stars for Brent Venables’ defense, and they’re hoping to do the same with Lewis. He has one more year of eligibility but would likely be a top 100 selection in the NFL draft if he were to declare in 2026.

The Sooners will need to dip into the transfer portal to find some proven production at linebacker even if Lewis does return. There is potential with guys like Sammy Omosigho, James Nesta, and Marcus James, along with the 2026 signees, but Oklahoma’s four-man linebacker rotation and the cheetah spot that lost Kendal Daniels to the draft could use some reinforcements.

If Lewis doesn’t return, the Sooners will likely have to add a pair of players in the portal to provide some veteran leadership to a young, but talented linebacker room.

Oklahoma has been linked to Colorado State linebacker Owen Long, who was incredibly productive for the Rams in 2025. He played more than 700 snaps and recorded 151 total tackles (twice as many as the next defender), five tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble.

But like Isaiah Sategna is for the offense, Kip Lewis is a huge decision domino for the Oklahoma Sooners defense. If they can get him back for one more year, it provides the Sooners defense with a talented player and leader who’s been in Brent Venables’ system for four years. Lewis provides a bridge to the future at linebacker in the same way that Danny Stutsman did when he returned for the 2024 season.

And in the short term, it makes the Oklahoma defense just as formidable in 2026 as they try to get back to the College Football Playoff once again.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma needs Kip Lewis to return, still attack portal for linebacker

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