Brent Venables Enters a Crucial Fourth Season at Oklahoma
Brent Venables is heading into his fourth year as the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, and this season carries significant importance. Formerly the defensive coordinator at Clemson, Venables took over in Norman in 2022, but success has been limited. While the Sooners recorded 10 wins in 2023, missing out on the College Football Playoff was a letdown considering how the season began. To meet expectations, Venables must guide Oklahoma to a strong campaign, and the college football transfer portal has become a key tool in reaching that goal.
The Transfer Portal’s Growing Influence
In today’s college football landscape, the transfer portal is indispensable. Unless a team has had a dominant season and is returning all starters, there’s almost always a need to utilize the portal in the offseason. With a wealth of seasoned players available, programs can retool quickly and build something competitive ahead of the fall.
Oklahoma was a prime example of a team needing a productive offseason, and they’ve made notable progress through the portal. Following a disappointing 6-7 finish, Venables is under pressure to deliver. Besides the 10-win season in 2023, the team has posted two 6-7 records under his leadership.
Oklahoma’s Transfer Portal Activity
The Sooners have been busy this offseason. Although they saw 34 players depart via the portal, they also welcomed 21 new additions, several of whom rank among the top transfers nationally. Key pickups include quarterback John Mateer and running back Jadyn Ott, both of whom are expected to play significant roles.
Despite already adding valuable talent, Oklahoma might not be finished. Although it’s late in the transfer cycle, if the team continues looking, here are a few names to consider:
Potential Transfer Targets
- Cortez Braham Jr., WR (Nevada)
Wide receiver was a key area of need, and while Oklahoma has addressed it, Braham Jr. remains an intriguing option. After starting at West Virginia, he moved to Nevada, where he had a standout season with 56 receptions, 724 yards, and four touchdowns. His blend of experience and skill makes him a strong candidate. - Markevious Brown, CB (Purdue)
Another seasoned option, Brown has played four years at the Power Four level. Beginning at Ole Miss before transferring to Purdue, he had a solid 2023 season with the Boilermakers, recording 45 tackles, five pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a sack. His experience and production make him an appealing addition. - Nathan Leacock, WR (Tennessee/Purdue)
Though less experienced, Leacock offers upside. He began at Tennessee but saw limited action and moved to Purdue, only to re-enter the portal. While a riskier option, his initial recruitment by an SEC program signals high potential.
Transfer Portal Overview
The transfer portal is now a central component of college football’s offseason, with activity beginning before bowl games even conclude. When the portal first opened on December 9th, some players were still preparing for postseason play, complicating their decisions.
While the portal presents great opportunities, it also has drawbacks—chief among them being its early timing. The December opening allows players to enroll at new schools in January, but it can force some to miss out on postseason games like the College Football Playoff.
Nonetheless, the portal provides a fast-track to roster rebuilds. New coaches can quickly bring in experienced talent and spark immediate improvement. It gives every team hope during the offseason.
The initial transfer window ran from December 9th to 28th, featuring most of the movement. A second window opens from April 16th to 25th, allowing players to evaluate their spring performances and make decisions accordingly. Occasionally, players who moved in the first window will even return to their original teams.
As a vital aspect of college football’s offseason strategy, the transfer portal will continue to dominate headlines through the spring.
