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Oklahoma Football: Freshman DT Derrick Leblanc enters NCAA Transfer Portal

By Brandon Self

Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc speaks to media during a press conference in Norman, Okla., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.Ou Sooners Football
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc speaks to media during a press conference in Norman, Okla., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.Ou Sooners Football /
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The Oklahoma football program has been informed by freshman defensive tackle Derrick Leblanc of his intentions to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Leblanc is a part of the Sooners’ 2023 signing class, and he has been in Norman since the Cheez-It Bowl practice sessions last Winter.

Leblanc was a composite 4-star defensive tackle from Kissimmee, Florida, and he chose the Sooners over offers from Florida, Miami, and Penn State. Leblanc was one of a small group of freshmen who arrived in Norman before the bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles. Leblanc was slated to compete for time at the defensive tackle position this fall.

With great size and quickness, Leblanc had a promising future in Norman. His reason for departing the program this Summer is yet to be determined. I wouldn’t want to speculate about his reasoning, but I know he is attempting to transfer.

Remember, just because a player enters the portal doesn’t necessarily mean he will depart the program. Some players enter the portal and then return to their original school. However, with head coach Brent Venables’s philosophy, this seems highly unlikely for Leblanc.

Regarding the program’s current status, the Sooner team is engaged in its Summer conditioning program. It is a highly competitive and intense Summer workout program designed to push players to their daily physical and mental limits. Strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt is among the biggest names in conditioning coaches in all of college football. His workouts are known to be some of the most physically intense and stressful in the nation. However, Coach Schmidt’s results are undeniably effective.

The current defensive tackle situation in the Oklahoma football program is still promising. The Sooners’ coaching staff has revamped the defensive line room, particularly the defensive tackle position. That position has seen several transfer arrivals throughout the Spring and into the Summer. The Sooner’s most recent transfer portal arrival was former Tennessee defensive tackle Da’Jon Terry.

We wish Derrick Leblanc luck in his transfer process and all the best in the remainder of his young college career.

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