Although he's close, Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy isn't batting 1.000 during this Transfer Portal cycle.
The Sooners have successfully added 10 players from the portal so far, but not everyone OU went after during this cycle ended up a Sooner, especially a few top targets that looked sure to make an impact in 2026 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium before another program swooped in. However, with Nagy and his staff still working, no losses so far have been detrimental.
First-Team All-MAC linebacker Gideon ESPN Lampreon, with a viral middle name, was a top target to fill the Sooners' biggest defensive need and was scheduled to visit Norman this week, but he never even made it to campus before pledging to Colorado. He led Bowling Green in nearly every defensive stat this season as a junior with 119 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a pass deflection and two forced fumbles.
However, after Gideon committed to Colorado on Tuesday, the next day the Sooners landed linebacker Cole Sullivan from Michigan. OU still needs at least one more depth piece at linebacker, but with Sullivan now in the mix, Lampron would no longer be worth the price tag.
The Sooners seemed to be a favorite to grab defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren after a season at Michigan State that included 52 tackles and1.5 sacks. He would have been in the rotation at defensive tackle behind David Stone and Jayden Jackson.
However, VanSumeren ultimately chose Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans over the Sooners for a better chance to start. On the same day he committed, though, OU got breakout freshman Kenny Ozowalu from UTSA. Ozowalu could be used all along the defensive line and make an immediate impact. OU is also still after more pieces at defensive tackle.
With OU desperately searching for offensive line depth, Luke Work would have been a reliable backup with SEC experience at both tackle spots. However, Work committed to Missouri, where he could crack the starting lineup in 2026.
Although the Sooners have added E'Marion Harris from Arkansas, they still need to find another depth piece that they believed would be Work. That could end up being Appalachian State's Denell Nix Jr., who visited Oklahoma this week.