The unpredictable and often dramatic world of college football saw yet another chapter unfold when Kendal Daniels, a standout redshirt senior safety and former Oklahoma State Cowboy, made the high-profile decision to transfer to the University of Oklahoma. For Daniels, a native Oklahoman who once proudly wore the orange and black of OSU, the switch to OU was more than just a transfer—it was a personal, emotional, and symbolic choice. Now, after settling into Norman and becoming part of Brent Venables’ resurgent Sooners squad, Daniels has expressed that his experience in crimson and cream has been “way better than my expectations.” That remark, simple as it may sound, has stirred reactions on both sides of the Bedlam divide and represents a deeper story of growth, second chances, and rediscovered identity.
Daniels’ journey began with promise. Hailing from Beggs, Oklahoma, he was a prized four-star recruit and the 2020 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year. At 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds, Daniels had the ideal frame for a safety, and his athleticism allowed him to play all over the field. Despite interest from multiple Power Five programs, Daniels committed to Oklahoma State, where he redshirted his freshman year before blossoming into one of the Cowboys’ most feared defenders. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2022, with a nose for the ball and a reputation as a hard-hitter. His stock steadily rose, and many expected him to be a cornerstone of OSU’s defense heading into the 2024 season.
But behind the scenes, something wasn’t right. Daniels grew increasingly disenchanted with the direction of the Cowboys’ program, particularly on defense. Changes in coaching, inconsistencies in scheme, and what insiders described as “locker room friction” led him to reassess his future. By the end of the 2024 spring camp, he entered the transfer portal—a shocking decision that sent tremors through Stillwater and sparked immediate speculation about where he might land next. What happened next stunned fans even more: he committed to the University of Oklahoma.
Transferring from one in-state rival to the other is rare, even in the modern NIL and transfer portal era, and Daniels understood the weight of his decision. The Bedlam rivalry is storied and steeped in bitterness, and no matter how professional the transfer process has become, some choices still carry emotional consequences. Daniels was labeled a traitor by some OSU fans. Others viewed his decision as opportunistic, or worse, disrespectful. Yet for Daniels, it wasn’t about betrayal—it was about belonging.
As he began his new chapter in Norman, Daniels found the environment different in all the right ways. Under Venables, who made his name as a defensive mastermind at Clemson and is now seeking to restore OU’s defensive legacy, Daniels found a system that fit his skill set and a coaching staff that offered both accountability and freedom. In interviews during summer workouts and fall camp, Daniels spoke openly about how the OU staff encouraged him to speak his mind, take initiative, and lead from the front. His comment that things have been “way better than my expectations” wasn’t made with bravado—it was said with quiet surprise, as if even he didn’t expect to feel this welcomed.
Teammates have echoed the sentiment. Sophomore linebacker Kip Lewis called Daniels “a veteran with a chip on his shoulder,” while safety Billy Bowman said Daniels “makes everybody around him smarter and more confident.” Daniels’ presence in the secondary has already had a measurable impact in scrimmages and practice sessions. The Sooners’ staff has used him not just in traditional safety roles, but also as a hybrid linebacker and even a spy on athletic quarterbacks, a sign of trust in his football IQ.
Venables, who rarely singles out players publicly, made it a point to praise Daniels for how quickly he absorbed OU’s complex defensive scheme and how seamlessly he integrated with the team. “He’s got a pro mindset,” Venables said. “He didn’t come here with a sense of entitlement. He came to work, and he’s earned the respect of this locker room.”
But respect in Norman doesn’t necessarily silence the noise from Stillwater. Daniels’ social media remains a battleground, with some OSU fans still venting frustrations. To his credit, he has avoided clapping back. “I understand it,” he said. “They’re passionate. I was one of them at one point. I still have respect for my former teammates and coaches. But this is where I’m meant to be now.”
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the Sooners as they prepare for their first year in the SEC. Expectations are sky-high, and every returning senior will play a role in how the program adapts to the more physical, defense-driven nature of the new conference. For Daniels, this transition presents the ideal proving ground. He’s no longer the up-and-comer at OSU—he’s the veteran anchor at OU, and with that comes the opportunity to vault himself into NFL Draft discussions.
What stands out most, though, is how Daniels has leaned into this new identity. Not just as a Sooner, but as a bridge between two worlds—one foot in the traditions of Oklahoma football and another in the future of college athletics. His story reflects the changing landscape of college football, where player mobility and personal agency are at the forefront. But it also reminds us that, despite the business-like tone of today’s game, the human element still matters. Daniels didn’t leave OSU just to chase exposure or money. He left to find alignment—philosophically, emotionally, and athletically.
By his own admission, Daniels didn’t know what to expect when he made the switch. He was hopeful, perhaps cautiously optimistic, but prepared for tension, judgment, or even regret. Instead, he found purpose, camaraderie, and perhaps most importantly, a coaching staff that believes in his potential. That revelation has had a profound impact on him. “This place brought my love for football back,” he said. “I didn’t know how much I missed that feeling.”
There are few things more powerful than an athlete who feels he has something to prove and finally finds the right place to do it. Kendal Daniels is entering his final collegiate season not just with skills and stats, but with experience, clarity, and fire. For Oklahoma fans, that combination is promising. For OSU fans, it may be a source of lingering pain. And for Kendal Daniels himself, it’s simply the next step in a journey that keeps surprising even him.
His embrace of OU isn’t a slight to his past, but a recognition of his present and a commitment to his future. If his early impressions are any indication, that future could be a lot brighter than anyone expected—even him.
