Retooling by means of the switch portal has turn into an vital a part of roster turnover for each soccer workforce in America. Largely because of the portal, but in addition due to commencement and NFL draft losses, it’s turn into crucial to assault the portal searching for expertise.
In Brent Venables first offseason, the Sooners added distinction makers Dillon Gabriel, Jeffery Johnson, Jonah La’ulu, and C.J. Coldon. They’ll hope to do it once more this offseason with wants at almost each place group on the depth chart.
The Sooners have been energetic, extending affords to vast receivers, tight ends, and defensive linemen. It stays to be seen who shall be Sooners this spring, however a number of of their targets appeared on ESPN’s rating of the highest switch portal gamers. Let’s check out what Tom VanHaaren of ESPN needed to say about every Oklahoma goal (ESPN+) and the place they rank on his checklist.
2. Dasan McCullough, EDGE, Indiana
Indiana’s Dasan McCullough (0) sacks Western Kentucky’s Austin Reed (16) throughout the Indiana versus Western Kentucky soccer sport at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 17, 2022. Wealthy Janzaruk/Herald-Instances / USA TODAY NETWORK
What ESPN Needed to Say:
McCullough was the No. 43 general prospect within the 2022 class and one of many highest-ranked recruits to ever signal with the Hoosiers. His father, Deland, was teaching at Indiana when he dedicated however was employed by Notre Dame in February. Dasan McCullough performed in 10 video games, recording 49 whole tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and three go breakups in a wonderful freshman season. – VanHaaren, ESPN
The Oklahoma Sooners are closely within the operating for the McCullough brothers. Earlier this week, the Sooners obtained crystal ball predictions for the elder McCullough, Dasan, a switch edge participant from Indiana.
5. Dorian Singer, WR, Arizona
Oct 29, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats vast receiver Dorian Singer (5) makes a landing catch towards USC Trojans defensive again Jaylin Smith (19) throughout the first half at Arizona Stadium. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports activities
What ESPN Needed to Say:
Singer performed within the closing 5 video games of the season in 2021 and completed with 301 yards. He performed in all 12 video games in 2022, ending this season atop the Pac-12 in receiving yards with 1,105 yards. He had six landing receptions and averaged 92.08 receiving yards per sport. As a sophomore with excessive manufacturing, he shall be closely focused now that he’s within the portal. – VanHaaren, ESPN
The Sooners are out there for a large receiver, and Oklahoma could be hard-pressed to search out one with as a lot manufacturing as Dorian Singer. He’s performed in 17 video games and is averaging 16.7 yards per reception. He was second within the Pac-12 in targets on throws of 20 or extra yards and completed third in catch proportion. He’s not merely a downfield risk, although, ending fourth within the convention in receptions for first downs.
18. Dante Cephas, WR, Kent State
Sep 4, 2021; Faculty Station, Texas, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes vast receiver Dante Cephas (14) receives the go from Kent State Golden Flashes quarterback Dustin Crum (not proven) throughout the second quarter towards the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Subject. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports activities
What ESPN Needed to Say:
Cephas broke out with 1,240 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns on 82 receptions in 2021. He performed in 9 video games throughout the 2022 season and nonetheless managed 48 receptions for 744 yards and three touchdowns. He’s a former All-MAC choice and has already heard from Notre Dame, Penn State, West Virginia and Pitt, amongst others. – VanHaaren, ESPN
Although it’s unlikely the Kent State product finally ends up at Oklahoma, it’s clear the Sooners like Dante Cephas and need to add a productive vast receiver to the depth chart.
With the standing of Marvin Mims and Drake Stoops unknown in the mean time, it is smart as Jalil Farooq could be the one participant at vast receiver with any important expertise in the event you lose Mims and Stoops.
24. Javion Cohen, OL, Alabama
Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Javion Cohen (70) in motion towards the Cincinnati Bearcats throughout the 2021 Cotton Bowl school soccer CFP nationwide semifinal sport at AT&T Stadium. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports activities
What ESPN Needed to Say:
Cohen was a three-star recruit within the 2020 class who signed with Alabama out of Phenix Metropolis, Alabama. He was an SEC All-Freshman participant in 2020, regardless of not being a starter. He then began 14 video games in 2021 at left guard and was a stabilizing pressure on the inside. Cohen began 10 video games in 2022 and performed a complete of 554 snaps. It’s not each day that an Alabama offensive lineman enters the portal, so it’s extremely probably that Cohen will see huge curiosity. – VanHaaren. ESPN
Offensive line is an space that the Sooners may definitely deal with. Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris have already declared for the NFL draft and Chris Murray shall be graduating. The Sooners may use an offensive lineman with expertise on the Energy 5 degree like Cohen.
25. Jacob Lacey, DT – Dedicated to Oklahoma
Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame’s Jacob Lacey (54) and Drew White (40) take down Oklahoma State’s Jaylen Warren (7) throughout the 2022 Ps Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Necessary Credit score: Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune-USA TODAY Sports activities
What ESPN Needed to Say:
How he matches at Oklahoma: Brent Venables’ workforce wants assistance on protection. The OU coach used the portal final yr to fill holes, particularly at quarterback with Dillon Gabriel, and he’s doing it once more on the defensive facet this offseason. Lacey was productive in his time at Notre Dame and has expertise taking part in on the highest degree. He’ll be capable of are available and contribute straight away for the Sooners to present them an enormous physique up entrance alongside the defensive position. – VanHaaren, ESPN
The Sooners’ first step in addressing their defensive position departures was the addition of Jacob Lacey. Just like the Jeffery Johnson addition a yr in the past, search for Lacey to play primarily because the 1-technique or nostril deal with in Brent Venables’ protection.
27. Kyler Morlock, TE, Shorter
Sep 11, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners sooner schooner throughout the sport towards the Western Carolina Catamounts at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
What ESPN Needed to Say:
Morlock is among the most intriguing transfers of this cycle. He’s a 6-foot-7, 245-pound tight finish from a D-II college with a number of years of eligibility remaining. He had 446 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns this season and has already been involved with a number of faculties. – VanHaaren, ESPN
Out of division two, Kyle Morlock would offer a receiving risk at tight finish and somebody with a number of years left of eligibility to construct with.
35. Austin Stogner, TE, South Carolina
South Carolina tight finish Austin Stogner (18) towards Arkansas throughout an NCAA soccer sport on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Picture/Michael Woods)
What ESPN Needed to Say:
Stogner initially transferred from Oklahoma, the place he had a couple of profitable years for the Sooners. He was a second-team All-Massive 12 choose in 2020 and one of many prime tight ends within the nation. He adopted his former quarterback, Spencer Rattler, to South Carolina and had 20 receptions for 210 yards and one landing. He has one other yr of eligibility, and it isn’t out of the query to see him switch again to Oklahoma to complete out his profession. – VanHaaren, ESPN
A reunion between Oklahoma and Austin Stogner makes plenty of sense. The Sooners shall be shedding Brayden Willis and Daniel Parker to commencement, leaving redshirt freshmen Kaden Helms and Jason Llewellyn on the prime of the depth chart. There’s not plenty of expertise there. Including Stogner gives Oklahoma one other legit passing sport risk and permits the Sooners an opportunity to take their time with Helms and Llewellyn and get them able to take over on the place in 2024.
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