Not every player in the transfer portal is worth bringing in, no matter how enticing of a talent it seems.
The Oklahoma Sooners have already added two players this spring cycle in offensive lineman Jake Maikkula and No. 1 running back Jaydn Ott, and they're still not finished. The Sooners are expected to be big-time buyers during this spring window, but even college football programs have to be careful what they spend their money on.
The Sooners are after a few key positions, including wide receiver. Unfortunately for them, though, the three players who stood out as ones that should be avoided all play the same position. That limits options for the Sooners, but there's still talent out there worth pursuing.
3 players in transfer portal Sooners should avoid
As sweet as it would be to see a former Texas Longhorn take them down in the Red River Rivalry, this isn't the one OU needs crossing the state line. However, on Friday, Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods.com reported that OU was among a handful of schools that have shown interest in Johntay Cook II.
Cook is in the transfer portal for the second time this offseason, which is already one red flag. He's technically transferring from Washington, but he never actually played a snap there after leaving the program within 48 hours of getting there.
Since he's left Washington, Cook has reportedly been arrested multiple times.
As a top-5 transfer prospect, Cook proved during his two seasons at Texas that he will make an impact wherever he goes, as long as there aren't off-the-field issues. However, OU has built a respectable reputation under Brent Venables, and even a talent like Cook isn't worth squandering it or the possible headaches off the field.
Micah Hudson might be ranked as the best available wide receiver in the transfer portal, but he still definitely shouldn't be the Sooners' top choice.
Last year, Hudson got to Texas Tech as a five-star recruit and top-5 wide receiver in the 2024 class. He did little to nothing in his freshman season, though, catching just eight passes for 123 yards.
He then entered the transfer portal after the season and headed to Texas A&M, where he was for only a few months before re-entering the portal for the second time in his first offseason.
Already bouncing around so much raises a red flag, plus he's failed to even come close to expectations so far. And although he hasn't done much yet, that hype still comes with an inflated price tag that isn't worth it.
The Sooners also need more size at receiver, and Hudson doesn't really provide that at 6-foot and 195 pounds. OU also can't recruit from other SEC programs during the spring transfer window, but I'm not sure if that rule applies if the player never actually played a game with the team.
I'm a firm believer that you should never go back to your exes, because there's a reason it didn't work out the first time.
Trejan Bridges started his career at OU as a five-star recruit. But after two seasons in which he had just nine catches, Bridges was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on April 15, 2021, according to The Oklahoman, leading to his dismissal from the program.
Bridges then didn't play anywhere in 2021 before getting back to action at East Los Angeles College. He then played at Central Arkansas last season, tallying 53 receptions, 748 receiving yards and six TDs.
There's been talk of Bridges returning to OU since he's entered the portal. And Bridges deserves a second chance, but he's already had his opportunity as a Sooner.