Oklahoma linebacker Kobie McKinzie plans to enter the transfer portal

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The Oklahoma Sooners were knocked out of the College Football Playoff less than two days ago. Now they have their first significant departure. According to Hayes Fawcett of On3, linebacker Kobie McKinzie intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens at the beginning of January.

A four-star linebacker signee in the 2022 recruiting class, McKinzie became a starter this season in the middle of Oklahoma's defense. But as the season wore on, he ceded snaps in the linebacker rotation to breakout star Owen Heinecke. In the Sooners' College Football Playoff loss to Alabama, McKinzie played just 12 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

McKinzie's departure is one of several potential farewells for the Sooners. Kip Lewis had a tremendous season and could be off to the NFL in April. Owen Heinecke is petitioning the NCAA for another year of eligibility after a short season of lacrosse at Ohio State burned a year.

It'll be interesting to see what the Sooners' linebacker situation looks like in 2026. There could be a lot of new faces manning the middle of the defense.

McKinzie played in 42 games in his four years with the Oklahoma Sooners, racking up 84 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma LB Kobie McKinzie intending to enter transfer portal

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