Oklahoma
The Transfer Portal is Open, Now Oklahoma Must Get to Work
College football’s yearly game of musical chairs is officially underway.
For the schools that did not have a head coaching change, Monday marks the official opening of the winter transfer portal window.
From Dec. 9-28, players can enter their name into the portal and transfer to try and find greener pastures.
In Norman, it will officially kick off an offseason of change.
To say the Sooners struggled in 2024 would be an understatement.
Brent Venables’ program fell flat on their face in the first season in the SEC, finishing 6-6 overall, 2-6 in league play and earning a bid to the Armed Forces Bowl to play Navy.
Offensive coordinator Seth Littrell lost his job after just seven games in charge, prompting a coaching search that led to Washington State play caller Ben Arbuckle.
Now, after OU set the wrong kind of records offensively, Oklahoma will raid the portal to find proven production in an attempt to turn things around in 2025.
A few notable Sooners have already announced their intentions to enter the portal, or it has been reported that they will be entering the portal this week.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold and receiver Nic Anderson are the biggest names who will be departing OU, though the Sooners are also technically losing a starter in tight end Bauer Sharp, who will transfer again after an up-and-down season in Norman.
With more names likely to follow over the coming days, Venables and Arbuckle have their work cut out for them.
The first thing the Sooners will need is a portal quarterback.
Michael Hawkins Jr. will return a bit of starting experience, but OU will need another quarterback if for nothing else than numbers, but Oklahoma is expected to pursue a starter quality quarterback who can battle Hawkins for the job.
Eyes quickly turn to Washington State quarterback John Mateer, who worked well with Arbuckle, but as of Sunday night he’s yet to announce his intentions to transfer. An option who will be in the portal is Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah, who played in Norman this year during his freshman campaign.
Regardless of who starts at QB in 2025, the Sooners will need options to catch the football.
Anderson’s departure is expected to be the beginning of a room that has already lost Jaquaize Pettaway to the portal after failing to make a real impact in two years.
Jalil Farooq can come back after injuries cost him essentially the entire 2024 season, but Oklahoma will likely need to land three or four receivers who have shown they can be relied on at the collegiate level.
Similarly, there is no proven production at tight end. Sharp is transferring and Jake Roberts graduated, leaving virtually no options for Joe Jon Finley with any real experience.
DeMarco Murray’s running back room could use at least one body as well to rebuild numbers after Kalib Hicks, Emeka Megwa and Chapman McKown are all hitting the portal having not been a factor whatsoever in 2024.
After battling injuries, Oklahoma’s offensive line actually looks okay on the numbers front.
Redshirt freshmen Logan Howland and Heath Ozaeta, who closed the season by holding down the left side of the line of scrimmage, can all return along with center Troy Everett and right guards Febechi Nwaiwu and Eddy Pierre-Louis. Tackles Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor can also return after recovering from their injuries, and Bill Bedenbaugh has a number of young faces waiting in the wings to fill out the two-deep.
Oklahoma could opt to try and land a top-end tackle to add to the group, or a depth piece to bring more experience should somebody go down, but for the most part Bedenbaugh can be selective in the portal.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage, the Sooners may need to be more active.
Even if R Mason Thomas returns at defensive end, OU is losing Ethan Downs, Trace Ford and Caiden Woullard to graduation. A body or two will be necessary on the edge, and OU could use a defensive tackle as well after Da’Jon Terry graduated out.
Despite losing Danny Stutsman, the Sooners could be set at linebacker with Kip Lewis, Kobie McKinzie, Dasan McCullough, Jaren Kanak, Lewis Carter and Sammy Omosigho all set to return. Losing another one of those numbers to the portal could change the math, but Zac Alley and Venables have that position group primed to be difference makers yet again.
Similarly, Brandon Hall’s safety room looks loaded as well.
Peyton Bowen and Robert Spears-Jennings are set to start despite losing Billy Bowman, and the freshman trio of Jaydan Hardy, Reggie Powers and Michael Boganowski were all handed snaps here and there to spur their development along in 2024.
Jay Valai’s cornerbacks could use some help, however.
Woodi Washington and Dez Malone are both moving on, and Gentry Williams was never able to get going this past season before an injury cost him.
Eli Bowen and Jacobe Johnson are a young pair that can be built around, but a couple of experienced bodies could help round out a group that has been bitten by the injury bug in two of Venables’ three seasons back in Norman.
Punter Luke Elzinga, who was one of the Sooners’ most consistent players in 2024, is also out of eligibility, and the succession plan there is unclear.
Players have to have their name in the portal by Dec. 28 to be immediately eligible next year, but the decision on their next school does not have to be made by then.
The next few weeks for OU’s coaching staff will be spent simultaneously getting the current players ready for the bowl game and making the most of those extra practices while hosting players in the transfer portal on visits to try and lure them to Norman.
Oklahoma can’t afford to miss on their portal additions this offseason, as the results of the 2025 season could have far reaching implications on the future of the program.
Today on the Spotlight, our crew explored why Winter Park Resort is so much more than a snowy winter destination. Nestled in Colorado’s breathtaking Fraser Valley along the Continental Divide, this mountain escape transforms into an outdoor paradise once the snow melts—offering cool temperatures, endless sunshine, and adventures for every kind of traveler.
Just 70 minutes from Denver and one of the closest major mountain resorts to Denver International Airport, Winter Park makes it easy to trade city life for alpine views. Surrounded by towering 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks, the resort delivers postcard-worthy scenery with summer temperatures that rarely climb above 80 degrees. Add in more than 300 days of sunshine each year, and it’s easy to see why so many visitors are discovering Winter Park as a perfect warm-weather getaway.
The resort village itself offers plenty of charm, with lodging, dining, shopping, and activities all conveniently located in one walkable area. Whether you’re looking for high-energy thrills or a laid-back mountain retreat, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
One of the most popular summer attractions is the scenic gondola ride, which carries guests up to 10,700 feet for unforgettable panoramic views of the Continental Divide, colorful wildflowers, and towering aspen groves. Adventure seekers can race down Colorado’s longest alpine slide or hit the trails to explore more than 3,000 acres of scenic hiking terrain. For those wanting to relax, Sunspot Mountain Lodge offers mountaintop dining with incredible views.
As the sun begins to set, the mountain comes alive with happy hour gatherings and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind after a day of adventure.
Winter Park is also home to the legendary Trestle Bike Park, one of the top downhill mountain biking destinations in the country. Opening Memorial Weekend, the park features more than 40 miles of gravity-fed downhill trails designed for riders of all skill levels. Advanced bikers can tackle technical terrain, while beginners can ease into the sport with mellow trails, rental gear, and lessons available onsite. Visitors who prefer a more relaxed ride can explore the area with e-bike rentals and guided mountain tours.
Beyond the resort, Winter Park serves as an ideal base camp for exploring some of Colorado’s most iconic outdoor destinations. The quieter west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park is only about 35 minutes away, offering fewer crowds and incredible opportunities to spot wildlife like moose and elk.
And for travelers wanting to spend time on the water, Grand Lake, Lake Granby, and Shadow Mountain Lake are all within about an hour of the resort, offering boating, fishing, paddling, and even more mountain recreation opportunities.
From scenic gondola rides and alpine slides to mountain biking, hiking, lakeside escapes, and national park adventures, Winter Park truly lives up to its reputation as Colorado’s gateway to summer fun. Visitors looking to plan their next mountain getaway can find lodging deals, trailside stays, and a full calendar of summer events at Winter Park Resort.
Convicted felon Robert Morris — a megachurch pastor who abused 12-year-old Cindy Clemishire in 1982 — walked out of an Oklahoma prison in the early hours of March 31.
But time is running out to get legislation aimed at helping abuse victims such as Clemishire — and a bill named for her unanimously passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives— to Gov. Kevin Stritt’s desk.
The Cindy Clemishire Act, HB 4227 would eliminate Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for prosecuting child sexual abuse and prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in related settlement cases.
The NDA provision is also known as “Trey’s Law” in remembrance of Trey Carlock, who was sexually abused at Camp Kanakuk, a Christian retreat in the Ozarks. Part of his legal settlement included a restrictive NDA that prohibited him from speaking about his abuse or Kanakuk’s role.
Carlock died by suicide, aged 28, after having told a therapist, “they will always control me, and I’ll never be free.”
Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report, and you can elect to receive our featured offer, “Kiss and Tell: The Innocent Moment That Shattered Mark Driscoll’s Cult” by Vince Manuele – click here.
Yet for unknown reasons, the Oklahoma Senate’s leadership hasn’t yet brought the measure to the floor, and the legislative session is slated to end this Thursday (May 14).
“I’ve just been told they’re not going to hear it. No reason,” Oklahoma state Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore) told online news outlet NonDoc.com on May 5. “I am baffled. Disappointed and baffled.”
Apparently standing in the way are state Sens. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, the Senate floor leader, and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Senate pro tempore. Daniels, according to the NonDoc.com report, won’t schedule a hearing for the bill, and Paxton reportedly is deferring to her on the matter.
The Roys Report (TRR) has contacted Daniels and Paxton for comment, as well as state Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. None immediately responded.
In a statement, Clemishire admonished Oklahoma lawmakers to get the bill passed.
“For decades, predators like Robert Morris have hidden behind outdated laws to evade justice, but the time for silence is over. To the members of the Oklahoma Senate: you have the power to ensure no other child is forced into the shadows, but your work is not done until these protections are sent to the governor,” she said.
Elizabeth Phillips, sister of Trey Carlock and founder of No More Victims, was also emphatic about the need for passage.
“Predators rely on silence and time–the law shouldn’t reward either,” said Phillips. “We are calling on Oklahoma Senate leadership to stand with survivors by ending the forced silence imposed on them by NDAs, like the one that silenced my brother to his grave, and remove the criminal statute of limitations for child sex crimes just as 44 other U.S. states have done. Please, don’t let the clock run out on survivors.”
Oklahoma is one of six states — along with the U.S. House of Representatives — where measures aiding victims of clergy sexual abuse have been filed. Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and West Virginia are the others where legislation has been introduced.
In 2025, similar legislation was enacted in Texas, Missouri, California, and Tennessee, while Alabama and Georgia did so this year.
Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Authorities say a man charged with murder is now bound over for trial.
Around 9 a.m. on January 2, Oklahoma City police were called to a home in the 500 block of Helm Pkwy, near S.E. 89th and Shields.
When officers arrived, they found the body of 51-year-old Willie Cook inside the home.
Investigators say Cook and 53-year-old Ryan McIntosh were inside the home when McIntosh allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Cook.
McIntosh left the scene but was later arrested for the crime.
McIntosh is now facing charges for first-degree murder, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm after a former felony conviction.
He is currently being held on a $10 million bond.
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McIntosh’s formal arraignment is set for June 17, 2026.
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