What are Oklahoma's top remaining transfer portal priorities?

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The Oklahoma Sooners have added 12 players thus far in the transfer portal, but there's still more work to be done. While they continue to try to retain key players from the roster for 2026, the Sooners still have several areas that need to be addressed.

The transfer portal window will officially close on January 16, but players not signed will still have an opportunity to join their new school before classes start. The first day of school at the University of Oklahoma is January 20. Players who want to be available for practice during spring ball will have to be enrolled by then.

Here's what Oklahoma has added so far.

  • Running Back – Lloyd Avant
  • Wide Receiver – Trell Harris, Parker Livingstone, Mackenzie Alleyne
  • Tight End – Hayden Hansen, Rocky Beers
  • Offensive Line – E'Marion Harris, Caleb Nitta, Peyton George
  • Defensive Line – Kenny Ozuwolo (DE)
  • Linebacker – Cole Sullivan
  • Defensive Back – Dakoda Fields (CB)

Which positions do Brent Venables, Jim Nagy, and their respective staffs still need to consider via the transfer portal?

1. Defensive Tackle

Oklahoma will bring back Jayden Jackson and David Stone for 2026. They also have some intriguing young players, such as Trent Wilson and Nigel Smith, and incoming talent like James Carrington and Brian Harris. However, the Sooners could use some experience in the rotation.

Gone are Damonic Williams and Gracen Halton, a pair of seniors who will be playing on Sundays next year. They played key roles in the Sooners' defensive line rotation, combining for over 700 snaps between them.

Venables and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates have added key players via the portal multiple times in their four-year tenure at Oklahoma. First, it was Da'Jon Terry coming to OU from Tennessee to help bolster the Sooners' defensive line. Then it was Damonic Williams coming from TCU.

The Sooners have been active in the defensive tackle market, but haven't secured a player to fit into their four-man rotation.

2. Tight End

Oklahoma's been aggressive at tight end, bringing in Hayden Hansen from Florida and Rocky Beers from Colorado State. They have a new direction with Jason Witten as the new tight ends coach. Continuing to bolster the tight end room should still be a priority.

Aside from Hansen and Beers, Oklahoma is inexperienced at tight end. Kade McIntyre, Trynae Washington, Tyler Ruxer, and Ryder Mix make up the rest of the room, but they have a combined 88 snaps at the collegiate level.

If Oklahoma wants to be able to deploy two and three-tight end sets on offense, they need another experienced player to come in and be an instant contributor at the position.

3. Cheetah Linebacker

Reggie Powers returns to likely start for Oklahoma at the cheetah linebacker spot after earning 333 snaps this season, the 14th most on the defense.

The Sooners lose Kendal Daniels to the NFL, and they'll have young options on the roster, but they may need to add an experienced player to the rotation. Jeremiah Newcombe was getting some looks at cheetah and so was Taylor Heim. But aside from Powers, Oklahoma lacks experience at the cheetah spot.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Defensive tackle is Oklahoma's top remaining transfer portal priority

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