The transfer portal has become college football’s most unpredictable terrain—a digital wild west where rosters are reshaped, dreams are rebooted, and powerhouses are either built or broken overnight. But while most programs sit back and wait for the chaos to officially begin, the Oklahoma Sooners are already moving with precision. And even before the portal officially reopens, Brent Venables and his staff are making major waves.
That’s right—Oklahoma is winning in the transfer portal before it technically even opens.
How is that possible? It’s not about loopholes or rule-bending. It’s about relationships. It’s about vision. It’s about having a staff that recruits harder than anyone else, on and off the field. And right now, the Sooners are playing chess while a lot of other schools are still learning checkers.
Let’s be clear: the Sooners haven’t just gotten lucky. They’ve outworked the competition. Whether it’s identifying targets before they officially announce intentions to transfer, or laying the groundwork for key commitments that are all but wrapped up before portal season explodes, Oklahoma is positioning itself for a monster 2025.
At the center of the action is Venables, whose energy has transformed the way Oklahoma approaches roster building. While his defensive mindset has always been intense, his vision for what it takes to win in the modern era has evolved too. He understands that the portal isn’t just a stop-gap anymore—it’s a pipeline. And he’s tapping into it with urgency and focus.
Insiders close to the program have confirmed that Oklahoma has quietly secured “soft commitments” from several high-profile players expected to enter the portal as soon as it opens. These aren’t your average depth chart fillers—these are legitimate game-changers. From veteran defensive backs to explosive receivers and even a few offensive line anchors, the Sooners are already reshaping their 2025 roster behind the scenes.
Take the wide receiver position, for example. Oklahoma is poised to lose some key contributors after the 2024 season, but they’re not waiting until fall camp to figure out replacements. One SEC standout—whose name can’t yet be officially linked—has reportedly been in contact with Sooner staffers since early March. The player has family ties in the region and has long admired the Sooners’ offensive system. The moment he enters the portal, Oklahoma will be the overwhelming favorite to land him. That kind of positioning doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through relentless effort.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Sooners are equally aggressive. With Venables’ signature on every part of the defensive strategy, it’s no surprise that they’re targeting high-IQ, versatile defenders who can plug in right away. One Big Ten linebacker—projected to be one of the most coveted names in the portal—is reportedly leaning heavily toward Oklahoma after multiple unofficial conversations with current Sooner players. Again, these aren’t random connections. They’re carefully cultivated relationships that give Oklahoma a head start no one else has.
It’s not just about who’s leaving other schools. It’s also about who’s staying in Norman. Another overlooked win for Oklahoma is the quiet retention of several players who were considered potential transfer candidates after the 2024 season. Thanks to a renewed emphasis on player development and NIL support, several contributors who might’ve tested the waters are instead doubling down on their commitment to OU. That’s a form of portal victory too—keeping your roster intact while everyone else loses pieces.
Of course, the NIL angle can’t be ignored. Oklahoma may not have the glitziest deals, but they’ve built a structure of support that is authentic, consistent, and forward-thinking. The program’s investment in personal branding, business networking, and long-term success has resonated with players across the country. Recruits and transfers alike are starting to understand: Oklahoma might not always throw out the biggest number on Day 1, but they’re building a more sustainable future—and that matters.
The Sooners are also smartly leveraging their future SEC status. Now that Oklahoma is fully in SEC territory, their appeal has skyrocketed. The pitch is simple: come play in the best conference in college football, with a staff that has both NFL and national championship pedigree, and do it all on a platform where every Saturday is a showcase. The SEC card is real, and it’s powerful—and Oklahoma is playing it perfectly.
Another thing working in Oklahoma’s favor? Momentum. After a strong 2024 campaign that saw the Sooners finish with double-digit wins and a resurgent defense, the program’s trajectory is clearly pointed up. Recruits and transfers aren’t just looking at what Oklahoma used to be. They’re seeing what Oklahoma is becoming. And that vision is magnetic.
Behind the scenes, staffers like defensive coordinator Ted Roof and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby (whose role may have shifted but whose influence remains strong) have been instrumental in identifying the kinds of players who fit OU’s new identity. This isn’t just about raw athleticism anymore. It’s about culture. It’s about grit. It’s about finding the kinds of players who can thrive in a system that demands physicality, accountability, and relentless effort.
The staff’s strategy also includes high school coaches and trainers, who’ve been quietly looped into conversations around potential portal moves. By building those grassroots relationships, Oklahoma has created an intelligence network that helps them stay two steps ahead of other programs. When a player becomes unhappy or starts exploring his options, Oklahoma often knows before the general public does.
And then there’s the quarterback position. While Jackson Arnold is entrenched as the present and future under center, the Sooners are being proactive about depth. One Group of Five standout who threw for over 3,500 yards last season is rumored to be on Oklahoma’s radar as a potential backup with a high ceiling. The idea? Give Arnold competition, elevate the QB room, and ensure there’s no drop-off if injuries strike. It’s another example of how the Sooners are preparing not just for best-case scenarios, but for every possible outcome.
Portal strategy also requires adaptability. Venables has made it clear: if a spot opens up and there’s a difference-maker available, the staff won’t hesitate to act. That’s a change from years past, where OU sometimes hesitated or missed on mid-cycle opportunities. Now, the Sooners have a full-time staff dedicated to portal evaluations. They’re ready to pivot, make calls, and close deals within hours of a player entering the database. That kind of readiness separates the good from the elite.
There’s a confidence around Norman that hasn’t been felt in years. Players are buying in. Recruits are leaning in. And transfer targets are listening—sometimes before their names even hit the headlines. That’s the power of preparation.
And that’s what makes this so huge.
Winning in the portal isn’t just about headlines. It’s about precision. It’s about anticipation. And right now, Oklahoma is showing that they’re ready to be a major player—not just when the portal opens, but before the fireworks even begin.
It’s a new era in Norman. And the Sooners aren’t waiting around for permission to dominate. They’re already doing it.
That’s the kind of energy that changes a program.
And come fall, when those new faces are making plays in big SEC showdowns, don’t be surprised if you hear it again: Oklahoma won this battle long before anyone else even realized the war had started.
It’s not just a fluke. It’s a formula. And right now, it’s working.