The transfer portal and NIL have entirely revolutionized the world of collegiate recruiting. While it’s still integral to the success of a program to come away with a top-tier recruiting class, you also need to be able to land valuable student-athletes in the transfer portal. Oklahoma’s 2023 recruiting class is top five in the nation per 247Sports. However, their incoming transfers are equally as impressive. Below are the five most impactful Oklahoma transfers for the 2023 season.
Five Most Impactful Oklahoma Transfers
As of this writing, per 247Sports, there are 15 transfers set to join the Sooners this year. The list includes three offensive linemen, four skill position players, seven defenders, and a punter. While it’s possible that all can show promise this year, these are the five that have the chance to make immediate impacts.
Rondell Bothroyd
The incoming senior defensive lineman comes to Norman bearing an already outstanding resume. Rondell Bothroyd originally committed to Wake Forest after playing his High School ball in Willington, Connecticut. Per the 247Sports Composite, Bothroyd was a three-star prospect and ranked as the fifth-best recruit in the state of Connecticut in 2017. After a slow start to his collegiate journey, he became a highly impressive player for the Demon Deacons over the past few years.
After appearing in only 16 games in his first three seasons, he became one of Wake Forest’s most impactful players over the last two seasons. In 2021 he recorded 63 total tackles, 16.5 for a loss, with seven sacks. He also forced a pair of fumbles and recovered two as well. Last season, despite playing in two fewer games due to injury, he still put up eight tackles for a loss with six sacks, and two more forced fumbles.
The experienced defensive lineman has the ability to come in and become one of Oklahoma’s premier pass-rushers immediately. That makes him among the most likely to become one of Oklahoma’s most impactful transfers.
Dasan McCullough
Bothroyd will be complemented by Dasan McCullough as another high-level defensive line transfer. After just one season at Indiana, McCullough decided it was time for a change of scenery.
The sophomore was originally a four-star recruit via the 247Sports Composite, as he was a top-150 ranked prospect in the nation for 2022. During his one season as a Hoosier, the talented defensive lineman played in 12 games racking up 49 total tackles, six and a half for a loss, with four sacks.
When Brent Venables accepted the job to become the head coach of Oklahoma, one thing fans had hopes for was an improved defense. Looking at Venables’ commits as well as his transfers since he took over, it’s clear that’s a point of emphasis for the program. Transfers like McCullough are certainly a step in the right direction.
Reggie Pearson Jr.
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma also struck gold by landing the transfer of experienced safety, Reggie Pearson Jr. While this is Pearson’s second time he’s transferred, he’s no stranger to Big-12 football.
The safety spent his first three seasons at Wisconsin. In his first two seasons, he totaled 65 total tackles, four pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. He, unfortunately, missed the entirety of 2020 due to injuries. After not being cleared for the entire season he entered the transfer portal, eventually choosing Texas Tech. In Lubbock, he became a more refined player as he compiled 109 total tackles, with three interceptions, and seven pass breakups in the last two years. For his sixth season, he’s now coming up north to Oklahoma.
The redshirt senior has the ability to come in and be one of Oklahoma’s top disruptors in the passing game next season. He’s a versatile safety who enters with about as much experience as you could ask for and he’s familiar with Big-12 football. Pearson Jr. will be an extremely impactful player from day one.
Austin Stogner
Run it back! pic.twitter.com/L439sTHd44
— Austin Stogner (@austin_stogner) December 8, 2022
Welcome Back, Austin Stogner. Oklahoma fans should be excited about the return of the promising, former Sooners tight end. With the departure of now-49ers tight end, Brayden Willis the door opens for Stogner to have a highly impactful return.
The fifth-year tight end spent his first three seasons at Oklahoma with Lincoln Riley. He was a four-star commit via the 247Sports Composite, and the second-ranked tight end in the nation for his class. Stogner had a solid three-year career with the Sooners as he hauled in 47 receptions for 654 yards and eight touchdowns in 25 games played with Riley’s electric offense.
After Lincoln Riley left, however, the talented tight end entered the transfer portal. He, alongside former Oklahoma quarterback, Spencer Rattler, transferred to South Carolina for last season. As a Gamecock, he caught 20 passes for 210 yards with a touchdown.
Stogner when asked about returning to Oklahoma said he, “Missed the culture,” per On3. He now has a chance to make a lasting impact his second time around in Norman.
Brenen Thompson
Anytime you flip a commit from one rival school to another, it needs to be mentioned. After one season wearing burnt orange, Thompson has decided to pack his bags and come up north to Oklahoma.
Thompson, a four-star prospect via the 247Sports Composite, originally committed to Texas in 2022. Touted for his speed and big-play ability, he was ranked as a top-150 player in the nation. However, the speedy wide receiver last season only had one reception for 32 yards as a Texas Longhorn last season.
Thompson has the ability to be special as a deep threat, and with the departure of Marvin Mims, it could open the door for him to fill that void.
Photo courtesy: BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
