This time last year, linebacker Kendal Daniels had just transferred across Bedlam lines from Oklahoma State to Oklahoma, and now, he's headed to the NFL, but without that move a year ago, Daniels likely isn't getting drafted today, at least not this early.
The Atlanta Falcons on Saturday selected Daniels with the 134th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft as the fourth Sooner of the board in the draft and third just in the fourth round alone after offensive tackle Febechi Nwaiwu and defensive tackle Gracen Halton went back-to-back earlier in the day.
Kendal Daniels' move from Oklahoma State to Oklahoma paid off in NFL Draft
Daniels, listed at a monstrous 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds, spent just one season with the Sooners after being down the road at Oklahoma State for the first four years of his career. In that lone season at OU, Daniels tallied 53 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, three pass breakups and forced a fumble while starting all 13 games at Brent Venables' hybrid cheetah position, which Daniels was basically molded for.
At OSU, Daniels originally played safety and was even named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year at the position, but because of his massive stature and nose for the ball, he moved down to linebacker in 2024. He had 64 tackles, 11 TFL, 5.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and three QB hurries in his first season at linebacker. He then made another position move when he got to OU, but this one really took advantage of Daniels' versatility and abilities.
OSU fans were frankly fed up with Daniels because of effort issues on the field, but he was also playing for a team in 2024 that didn't win a Big 12 game and had statistically the worst defense in the conference. Daniels was always considered an NFL prospect because of his talent, but had he stayed in Stillwater for a 2025 season that saw head coach Mike Gundy get fired only three games in, Daniels was likely headed to undrafted free agency after getting overlooked because of poor results around him.
Instead, Daniels clearly made the right move by joining and starting for one of the best defenses in the country that endured an SEC schedule and made the College Football Playoff. That's not to say the Sooners developed Daniels into an NFL talent, but the new environment definitely showcased him where he was able hear his name called as a Sooner.
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