5 positions the Oklahoma Sooners should target in the transfer portal

Oklahoma’s season is all the way down to one final recreation towards the Florida State Seminoles within the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Nonetheless, their preparation for Crew 129 has already begun.

Quite a few gamers have already entered the switch portal or declared for the 2023 NFL draft.

Gamers like left sort out Anton Harrison, working again Eric Grey, defensive sort out Jalen Redmond, and proper sort out Wanya Morris had been starters on this yr’s squad and have already declared their intention to go to the NFL. Oklahoma should fill these voids for subsequent season. Their replacements could also be on the workforce already, however there’s an actual risk they aren’t.

The losses have left a hefty quantity of our bodies lacking from this system proper now, and whereas the recruiting class will fill a few of them, the Sooners would like to have quick solutions through the switch portal by guys with collegiate expertise.

As Oklahoma seems to be to retool its roster for 2023, listed here are just a few positions they need to look so as to add expertise to through the switch portal. 

Offensive sort out

Sep 24, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Anton Harrison (71) in the course of the recreation towards the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities

Look, it might sound loopy, however Invoice Bedenbaugh needs to be on the cellphone working the offensive tackles within the portal.

Oklahoma loses each of their starters, Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris, and apart from Tyler Guyton, there are not any confirmed commodities on the place. Guyton himself didn’t begin many video games apart from the 2 Morris missed early season attributable to suspension. Guyton performed properly in spot responsibility and can seemingly begin for Oklahoma in the course of the Cheez-It Bowl.

The Sooners had true freshmen Jake Taylor and Jacob Sexton as backups this yr, they usually didn’t get practically sufficient reps to be viable choices but. It’s to not say they gained’t be good gamers, however getting some confirmed commodities would assist take slightly of the developmental strain off of them.

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Defensive Sort out

Oklahoma’s Jeffery Johnson (77) celebrates throughout a school soccer recreation between the College of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Household – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Oklahoma gained 45-13. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma remains to be present process a schematic and philosophical change with the make-up of its defensive linemen. They added Jeffery Johnson as a grad switch from Tulane when the brand new employees obtained into place, and Johnson performed loads of efficient snaps this season.

Johnson is gone, Jalen Redmond is gone, and the Sooners will return just a few guys like Jordan Kelley and Isaiah Coe, who had some shining moments right here and there.

In the end, this protection works finest when you have got defensive linemen that may eat area and generate strain with out committing further rushers. The Sooners are nonetheless seeking notable difference-makers up entrance. They’ve added Jacob Lacey from Notre Dame, however it might be smart to proceed to construct depth on the place.

Large Receiver

Nov 26, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners vast receiver Theo Wease (10) catches a landing cross towards Texas Tech Crimson Raiders defensive nook again Malik Dunlap (24) within the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Subject. Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports activities

Whereas it’s flying below the radar, it’s necessary to notice that Oklahoma is dropping not less than three receivers to the portal. Trevon West, Brian Darby, and Theo Wease have all entered their names into the portal.

The massive fish, Marvin Mims, has not determined whether or not he’ll head for the NFL or if he’ll return to rehab his NFL draft inventory. In the event you embody Mims going to the NFL, that’s 4 receivers the Sooners will lose on the depth chart. Although Mims and Wease are the one ones to offer vital contributions in 2022, dropping them requires discovering extra playmakers on the place.

Linebacker

Nov 19, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker David Ugwoegbu (2) celebrates after a defensive cease towards the Oklahoma State Cowboys within the second quarter at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Sarah Phipps-USA TODAY Sports activities

There haven’t been any portal defections through at linebacker. Nonetheless, Oklahoma can’t be critical about enhancing the standard of the protection and never check out among the linebackers which have already entered the portal. Competitors is nice and might solely make groups higher.

Sure, Stutsman improved, however you possibly can add much more expertise to that room. The primary linebacker recruit from the 2020 class, Justin Flowe is on the market after spending the final two years with Oregon. That’s price a flyer in itself.

Oklahoma has a number of four-star gamers that had been a part of the 2022 class that may make an influence in some unspecified time in the future, however will they be able to tackle vital snaps in 2023? Higher to have a security web if Jaren Kanak, Kobie McKinzie, or Kip Lewis aren’t prepared but.

Cornerback

Oct 29, 2022; Ames, Iowa, USA; Oklahoma Sooners vast receiver Woodi Washington (0) intercepts the ball over Iowa State Cyclones vast receiver Dimitri Stanley (14) in the course of the first quarter within the Large 12 Convention recreation at Jack Trice Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune-USA TODAY Sports activities

Cornerback, like vast receiver, has taken some hits through the portal, with Kendall Dennis and Joshua Eaton each on their manner out the door. Former four-star and five-star abilities from among the higher defensive faculties like Alabama, Clemson, Texas A&M, and Florida have hit the portal.

Will Oklahoma take benefit? They need to.

Woodi Washington’s standing for subsequent season is to be decided as he may leap to the NFL. That leaves Oklahoma with one confirmed playmaker in veteran C.J. Coldon, ought to he be awarded a uncommon seventh yr.

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Story initially appeared on Sooners Wire