As college football’s transfer portal continues to shape the landscape of programs across the nation, the Oklahoma Sooners are once again making waves with their transfer additions. Head coach **Brent Venables** and his staff have leveraged the portal to bolster positions of need and add depth to a roster that is already brimming with potential. After a season of growth and rebuilding, the Sooners are poised to make a stronger push in 2025, thanks to key transfers that could elevate their already talented squad.
In this post, we’ll take a detailed look at the Sooners’ most impactful transfer additions across various positions and analyze how each new player could contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season. From adding stability on defense to reinforcing depth in the offensive trenches, the Sooners have made significant moves that could pay off immediately.
### Quarterback: A New Leader for the Offense
The quarterback position is always the focal point for any team, and Oklahoma’s latest transfer addition here comes with significant expectations. **Dillon Gabriel**, who transferred from UCF in 2022, established himself as a dynamic playmaker in his first season in Norman. However, the Sooners’ coaching staff looked to further solidify the quarterback room by bringing in a **fresh transfer** with a potential upside to either compete with Gabriel or serve as a future star.
The addition of **Jackson Arnold**, a highly touted freshman quarterback, has added depth to the position and provides a solid backup if Gabriel’s performance doesn’t meet the team’s lofty standards. While Arnold isn’t a transfer from another school, his entry into the fold gives the Sooners extra firepower at quarterback. However, it’s worth noting that if they do seek a **transfer quarterback** down the line, they would be able to lean on the transfer portal for more experience. The position’s stability will be key in 2025.
**Impact:** Although Gabriel is likely to be the starting quarterback, the competition and presence of a capable backup like Arnold provide depth and insurance, ensuring that the Sooners’ offense remains effective in 2025. It’s also possible that a transfer quarterback could eventually take over, depending on how things shake out.
### Running Back: Power, Speed, and Depth
One of the key areas where the Sooners have focused on transfers in the past few years is the running back position. After the departure of star **Eric Gray**, the Sooners were in search of a workhorse to carry the load in the backfield. This offseason, they were able to bring in a dynamic, multi-dimensional player in **Trey Sanders** from Alabama.
**Trey Sanders**, a former five-star recruit, had his fair share of injury struggles at Alabama but showed flashes of his high-ceiling ability when healthy. He possesses ideal size and vision, making him a powerful back with breakaway speed. Sanders could add a level of explosiveness and consistency to the running game that the Sooners need, particularly in short-yardage situations or when they need to control the clock.
Additionally, Oklahoma added **Gavin Sawchuk**, a speedy and elusive transfer from USC. Sawchuk brings a change-of-pace option to the backfield, offering both speed and pass-catching ability out of the backfield. His agility could make him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, especially on third downs or in spread formations.
**Impact:** With Sanders and Sawchuk in the fold, the Sooners are poised to have a diverse and dangerous running back room in 2025. This depth not only allows them to rotate fresh legs but also gives their offense multiple ways to attack opposing defenses, whether through power running or elusive, big-play ability.
### Wide Receiver: Rebuilding the Passing Game
Oklahoma has long been known for its explosive passing attacks, and while they have a stable of talented wide receivers returning in 2025, they knew they needed more depth and experience at the position. The Sooners made significant moves in the transfer portal to address this need.
**Drake Stoops** has been a reliable target for the Sooners for years, but Oklahoma added two major transfers to ensure they don’t lack for talent in the wide receiver room. **Braden Willis**, who transferred from TCU, comes with elite experience and productivity at the Power 5 level. His sharp route-running ability and knack for finding the end zone make him a top threat in the Sooners’ high-powered passing attack. Willis could be a versatile weapon in their offense, capable of lining up in various formations.
Additionally, **Jalin Conyers**, a speedy wideout who joined the team from Kansas State, adds both speed and playmaking ability to the offense. Conyers has flashed in limited opportunities and could potentially emerge as a big-play threat for the Sooners in 2025. His quickness and deep-ball threat will complement other skill players, especially with Gabriel at quarterback.
**Impact:** With Stoops leading the way and Willis and Conyers complementing the wide receiver core, the Sooners will boast a more dynamic group of wideouts. The transfer additions will give Gabriel more reliable options on the outside and allow the offense to be even more dangerous, particularly when needing to stretch the field.
### Offensive Line: Protecting the Quarterback
No position is more important in protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes than the offensive line, and the Sooners knew that they needed to bolster this unit heading into 2025. While they’ve been strong in this area for years, adding some depth and high-level talent through the transfer portal was essential.
Oklahoma went after **McKade Mettauer**, a versatile offensive lineman from Texas who can play both guard and tackle. Mettauer adds immediate depth and experience to an already talented unit and gives the Sooners a reliable player who can step in if injuries occur or if they need extra help against elite pass-rushers. His ability to contribute at multiple positions provides a level of flexibility that will be critical over the course of a long season.
**Impact:** Mettauer’s addition to the offensive line will provide crucial depth and potentially allow for some scheme flexibility, whether they opt to use him at tackle or guard. His presence ensures that the Sooners can protect Gabriel and keep their running backs running downhill with ease.
### Defensive Line: Building a Wall Up Front
The Sooners’ defense struggled at times in 2024, particularly in the trenches, but they’ve made significant moves to address those issues with the addition of several key transfers on the defensive line. **Jalen Redmond**, who transferred from Georgia Tech, has been a standout addition to Oklahoma’s front seven. Redmond brings quickness and power to the defensive line and could be a disruptor in both the run game and passing situations.
Additionally, **Tyler Harrell**, a former four-star recruit who transferred from Michigan, adds more size and strength to the line. Harrell is known for his relentless motor and ability to eat up blocks, allowing linebackers and safeties to make plays.
**Impact:** With Redmond and Harrell coming in, the Sooners’ defensive line now has an infusion of talent and depth. This could help them put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, something that was sorely missing in 2024. A stronger defensive line will allow the linebackers and secondary to perform at a higher level, potentially making the defense one of the top units in the Big 12.
### Linebacker and Secondary: Rounding Out the Defense
The Sooners also used the transfer portal to enhance their linebacking corps and secondary, adding depth and leadership to these critical positions. **Desmond Jackson**, a transfer linebacker from Mississippi State, brings veteran experience and physicality to the defense. Jackson is adept at both rushing the passer and covering the field, making him a versatile piece for Venables’ defensive scheme.
In the secondary, **Trey Norwood** from Oklahoma State could be an immediate contributor, providing experience and ball-hawking ability in the defensive backfield. His ability to cover and read plays will help the Sooners against some of the explosive passing offenses in the Big 12.
**Impact:** With these additions, Oklahoma has significantly bolstered its defensive unit. Jackson’s leadership and Norwood’s coverage skills will help solidify what was an inconsistent defense in 2024, making the Sooners a more complete team in 2025.
### Conclusion: A Strong Foundation for 2025
With their impressive transfer additions across multiple positions, the Oklahoma Sooners are in a prime position to make a strong push in the 2025 season. From adding depth at quarterback to reinforcing their defensive line, these transfers provide the team with the tools they need to contend in the Big 12 and beyond. As head coach Brent Venables continues to build a roster that is capable of competing at the highest level, these new faces could prove to be difference-makers for the Sooners in the seasons to come.
