It’s been just under a month since the portal closed, and now we know how teams are going to look in the spring. This year, over 10,000 college football players entered the transfer portal, setting a new record. With all these entries, the Oklahoma Sooners could not afford to let their fellow SEC teams take the key players. Oklahoma ended up getting 16 players, but would lose 28 of their own guys. Key losses included linebacker Kobie McKinzie, running back Jovantae Barnes, and safety Gentry Williams. On top of them, the Sooners had to replace the productivity of Isaiah Sategna and Deion Burks. Here is who Oklahoma brought in from the transfer portal for 2026.
Oklahoma’s 2026 Portal Class
Crossing the River
Before NIL and the transfer portal’s current state, it was unheard of to transfer to your rival, let alone a rivalry as big as Texas & Oklahoma. Nevertheless, the times have changed, and revenge is on the horizon. All that represents Parker Livingston, a former four-star recruit who now looks to prove the Longhorns wrong.
In early January, Livingston came out and said he never wanted to enter the portal, but added that some things are beyond his control. Texas had made it clear that Livingston wasn’t needed, as they were looking at other receivers in the portal. Livingston was a solid receiver for the Horns last season as a freshman, putting up 516 yards and six touchdowns, but still, it wasn’t enough for Texas. Now Livingston crosses “The Red River,” joining the Sooners’ depleted receiving room. He is now seeking to defeat his former team and former roommate, Arch Manning.
New Number One Receiver
With Sategna and Burks gone, Oklahoma knew they needed to get John Mateer’s weapons fast. Livingston, being the first addition, was solid, but the Sooners needed another solid receiver. Trell Harris, a fifth-year senior, is coming off his best season at Virginia, totaling over 840 yards, 59 receptions, and five touchdowns. Before last season, Harris had eclipsed 400 yards just once and never had a season with 30 receptions. On top of that, he had only four career touchdowns, which he doubled this past season. Now Harris joins Oklahoma as the clear-cut number one option.
Loading Up at TE
The Sooners have struggled to get their tight ends in the end zone under Coach Venables. This offseason, they made sure to load up at the position, hoping to find the back of the end zone with any one of them. They bring in three tight ends: Hayden Hansen from Florida, Jack Van Dorselaer from Tennessee, and Rocky Beers from Colorado State. These three have combined for 15 total touchdowns, Beers being the most productive last season with seven. Mateer now has multiple big options to throw to this season.
Other Key Additions
Caleb Nitta, OL Western Kentucky
Nitta joins the Sooners as a three-star from Western Kentucky. He is rated at a whopping 68.9 on Pro Football Focus, one of the best in the nation. This past season, he gave up two sacks on almost 300 passing snaps. Nitta now becomes the Sooners’ most productive offensive lineman.
Lloyd Avant, RB Colorado State
Avant follows Beers to Norman from Fort Collins, joining a running back room looking for a bounce-back year. At Colorado State for one year, he ran for over 400 yards and five touchdowns. The year before at Tulsa, he ran for over 250 yards. Now Avant joins Tory Blaylock and the rest of the Sooner running back room.
Cole Sullivan, LB Michigan
Sullivan, a sophomore last season, was a force at the second level, recording two sacks, a forced fumble, and three interceptions. Now he joins an OU second level, looking for a game wrecker.
These guys and many more join the Sooners this upcoming season, as they look to return to the College Football Playoffs. In the end, Oklahoma finished 25th in the portal rankings. For more news on Oklahoma football and all topics in college football, stay tuned to Last Word on College Football.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
