NORMAN — After the transfer portal’s winter window closed, Oklahoma’s losses outweigh its gains.

So far, the Sooners have seen 26 players from the 2024 roster enter the portal while picking up 14 newcomers.

OU has bolstered its class in recent days, picking up a few players from power four conferences. The Sooners snagged wide receiver Josiah Martin from Cal a few days before gaining commitments from Florida State defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. and Oklahoma State linebacker Kendal Daniels.

Jones and Daniels are Oklahoma’s first two defensive additions. Per 247 Sports, Oklahoma currently has the No. 14 portal class nationally and the ninth-best class in the SEC.

Here are a few areas the Sooners still need help:

With just two defensive commitments from the transfer portal, every defensive position can use reinforcements — but cornerback is one that stands out.

The Sooners won’t have 2024 senior cornerback Woodi Washington or portal departure Kani Walker next year, leaving one starting spot open. On the other side is rising sophomore Eli Bowen, who broke out with 20 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups and an interception in 2024.

While the Sooners largely improved defensively in 2024, the secondary is an area that struggled.

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OU finished 43rd nationally in passing defense, allowing 203.2 passing yards per contest. The Sooners also averaged just 0.7 passes intercepted per game, which was tied for 91st in the nation.

OU already has a safety group with significant experience and production under its belt. Safety Robert Spears-Jennings finished tied for sixth in the nation with four forced fumbles in 2024, and Peyton Bowen notched 33 total tackles this year.

Adding a ballhawk cornerback to that group could greatly bolster OU’s pass defense.

With Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton and Jayden Jackson all slotted to return in 2025, the Sooners have plenty of experience on the interior of their defensive line. Williams and Halton both played more than 400 snaps in 2024, while Jackson was just below that at 387.

Still, adding another pass rusher wouldn’t hurt for the Sooners.

The Sooners made a splash at the defensive end position on Monday by picking up a commitment from Jones, who logged four forced fumbles and a sack in 2024. Jones will pair with R Mason Thomas — who recently announced that he’ll play for OU in 2025 and wait on the NFL — on the other end.

Williams and Halton have Pro Football Focus defensive grades above 70, while Jackson’s is just below at 69.7. This means that, in addition to significant experience in 2024, that position group has a lot of skill.

While everyone is waiting for 5-star David Stone to explode into the lineup, adding another piece to the mix would make OU’s defensive line even saltier.

OU’s addition of Daniels through the transfer portal significantly bolsters the linebacker group. But it wouldn’t hurt to add another to the corps.

The Sooners will be without All-American Danny Stutsman, who was a senior in 2024. They also lost linebackers Dasan McCullough and Lewis Carter to the transfer portal.

2024-25 Oklahoma Transfer Portal Tracker

Kobie McKinzie and Kip Lewis have both played key roles on OU’s defense in each of the last two seasons, and they should do the same in 2025. But aside from those two and Daniels, there isn’t a whole lot of experience at the position.

Adding one more experienced linebacker to the mix would give the Sooners one of the deepest linebacker rooms in the SEC.

State school report cards are out, and eight Oklahoma City schools have been graded with an F for the last school year. These report cards look at how public schools are serving Oklahoma students. 

1. Oklahoma struggles nationally in education 

Oklahoma traditionally ranks near the bottom nationally in education. U.S. News and World Report places Oklahoma second to last in the country for education. The Oklahoma State Report card allows state leaders and educators to learn why the state struggles and potential ways to fix problems. 

2. Oklahoma Schools get a C for Academic Achievement 

Schools in Oklahoma improved slightly in English and math achievement, according to the State Report Card website. However, the overall grade for academic achievement stayed the same with a C from the previous school year. 

3. Oklahoma City Schools had fewer “F” graded schools 

An Oklahoman analysis looked at 526 campuses in 10 counties in central Oklahoma. The analysis found 12 schools in Oklahoma County with an F grade and eight of those schools within Oklahoma City Public Schools. However, their analysis found that OKCPS improved by 20 percent from the previous school year.

OKCPS released a statement that said — 

“This year, eight schools across our district raised their letter grades, and several others demonstrated remarkable growth, with eight sites increasing their overall scores by more than 10 points. One standout achievement is Classen SAS at Northeast High School regaining its “A” designation, showcasing a continued tradition of academic excellence.

“These milestones highlight the tireless efforts of our educators and staff, our commitment to high-quality instruction, and our focus on leveraging data to drive impactful changes. While challenges remain, with eight schools, including three alternative education sites, receiving an F designation, this represents a reduction from last year. It is a signal that the strategic support and interventions we’ve put in place are working.  

“Our dedication to lifting our most underperforming schools remains unwavering because we believe every student deserves a world-class education. At OKCPS, we are building momentum and staying true to our vision of ensuring that every student graduates ready to be employable, enrolled, or enlisted.  

“This year’s progress is a testament to what’s possible when we come together with purpose and determination. To our educators, staff, and community: thank you for your partnership and belief in the success and future of our students. The future is bright, and we’re not stopping now.” 

4. OKCPS is trying to improve chronic absenteeism 

The pandemic changed the education landscape and contributed to more chronic absenteeism – that’s students who miss 10 percent or more of the school year. The Oklahoma State Department of Education gave the state an F grade for attendance for the 2022-2023 school year. Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendent Jamie Polk told News 9 last September they were focused on meeting students who need extra support. 

“It’s a high concern I have. We would like to do better,” said Polk, during a September 2024 interview with News 9. “This is a major problem.” 

Chronic Absenteeism during the 2023-2024 school year improved to a D grade.  

“Each child should be guaranteed one year of growth. That’s our role,” Polk said. “I also have hope. We say we have a seat for every child. That means something to us.” 

5. Chronically absent students also face economic disadvantages 

Data from the Oklahoma State Report Card shows students who face economic challenges are most likely to miss class time. According to OKCPS’s Statistical Profile report, 92% of the students who attend OKCPS schools face economic disadvantages. 

Polk said academic progress hinges on resources for students who don’t have the support to make it to class. Last fall, Polk announced her district is working with Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna’s office to find more solutions to keep students in school. 

What is Senate Bill 1457?

SB 1457 expands the physical injury limitation exemption as it applies to worker compensation to include law enforcement officers, paid and volunteer firefighters, and emergency medical technicians suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) received while responding to an emergency. 

“This is a huge win for first responders and a huge win for Oklahoma,” said James Biscone, a personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City.

The measure also provides that employers shall be required to pay up to $10,000.00 for the treatment of a responder certified to have PTSD according to the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission. 

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What was the protocol before the law went into effect? 

Senate Bill 1457 went into effect in Oklahoma on January 1, 2025. Before that date, first responders could only get workers’ compensation if their mental injury was coupled with a physical injury on the job.

“If you think of a fatality car accident, if you think of a murder scene, these first responders rush to help but if they’re not physically injured, there’s no recovery for the mental anguish that they’ve suffered,” said Biscone. “Imagine what a first responder sees over the course of a week or a month or a year or a career, well the stigma is gone, you can talk about those things and it’s okay to claim a mental injury now and it’s okay to talk to somebody and get the help that you need.” 

“It allows our first responders to be recognized for the mental anguish that they suffer sometimes on the job,” said Biscone. 

How does this work? 

It will operate just like any other workers’ compensation claim and must have a doctor’s approval. 

“If you have a first responder who is claiming to have PTSD, it has to be diagnosed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist but if they have that, they can go through the process of getting the help that they need,” said Biscone.

What does this mean for first responders in Oklahoma?

“There’s been a huge stigma around PTSD over the years but that is slowly being removed, we’re seeing that across the country,” said Biscone.

Biscone says this new law will help with the recruitment and retention of first responders.

“Because they know Oklahoma now has their back,” said Biscone. 

He says getting first responders the help they need mentally and physically can help ensure they are going back to work when they are truly prepared.

“To allow them an avenue to get some help to get some treatment, it gets them back to work faster and it also creates a better person, a better law enforcement officer out there,” said Biscone.

To read more about this bill, click here: http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb1457&Session=2400