Oklahoma lost 27 players to the transfer portal, but not all losses are the same.
The Sooners' transfer portal exits included 18 offensive players and nine from the defensive side of the ball. The losses were headlined by six wide receivers and a starting quarterback leaving the program.
However, not all 27 of those losses will sting the same, if at all.
There are three transfer portal losses that could hurt the Sooners the most going forward. And before getting there, quarterback Jackson Arnold, now headed to Auburn, is the biggest name omitted from the list, but it was considered that OU replaced him with John Mateer and also still has Michael Hawkins Jr. for depth.
1. Bauer Sharp, TE
Bauer Sharp might be the most despised man in Norman and his exit was even celebrated by most of Sooner Nation, but emotions can't erase his production.
Sharp certainly had some boneheaded plays worthy of ridicule, but he was also the Sooners' most productive player from this season to enter the transfer portal. Sharp started every game of the regular season at tight end and led OU in receptions (42) and receiving yards (324).
That loss of Sharp seems like it will linger even more considering who Joe Jon Finley has brought in so far. The Sooners have added three tight ends from the transfer portal, and maybe they'll pan out, but right now three players who weren't all that productive at lower levels don't seem all that promising.
2. Nic Anderson, WR
Of the six wide receivers headed elsewhere, Nic Anderson will be the most detrimental loss.
Anderson missed almost all of 2024 because of injury, but in 2023 he put together one of the best seasons a freshman receiver ever has wearing crimson and cream. He was a Freshman All-American by The Athletic after tallying 31 receptions, 798 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, including the game-winner to take down Texas.
That TD total was the most ever by an OU freshman, and the receiving yards total was the second most by a Sooner frosh.
Anderson will now be playing for LSU with Sharp, but both could have had monster seasons in 2025 catching passes from Mateer.
3. Lewis Carter, LB
The only defensive player on this list, Lewis Carter was a late and unexpected departure after not entering the transfer portal until after the Sooners' bowl game.
Carter played in every game this season as a backup linebacker or on special teams. He wasn't incredibly important in 2024 as a reserve with 23 tackles, two TFLs and a forced fumble. However, just a sophomore, Carter could have emerged as a vital piece of Brent Venables' defense in the near future.
Getting closer to home, Carter will play for UCF next season and likely start there immediately.