The Oklahoma football program is starting to make some room on its roster, particularly at running back.
Hayes Fawcett of On3 reported Tuesday that OU running back Sam Franklin is expected to enter the transfer portal once it officially opens for the spring window on Wednesday.
BREAKING: Oklahoma RB Sam Franklin plans to enter the Transfer Portal as a Grad Transfer, per his agency @teamifa
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 15, 2025
He played in 12 games for the Sooners last season
Was previously named a FCS All-American
Will have 1 year of eligibility remaining https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/mbxC6PSn0J
Sooners running back Sam Franklin reportedly entering transfer portal
Franklin transferred to OU just last year from Tennessee-Martin, where he was an FCS Second-Team All-American and Walter Payton Award finalist in 2023. He didn't do much in his lone season with the Sooners, though, totaling 18 carries for 132 yards. He had a season-high six carries and 61 yards in OU's loss to LSU in the regular-season finale.
That put the Sooners up to three players expected to enter the transfer portal so far, with Franklin joining tight end Davon Mitchell and defensive back Mykel Patterson-McDonald. Franklin was an expected departure as the low man in a crowded running back room that might get even fuller soon.
The Sooners are reported frontrunners to land California graduate transfer Jaydn Ott, who is the No. 1 available running back. Reports of Ott entering the transfer portal surfaced Monday evening and news of OU's intentions immediately followed.
Franklin was probably gone whether the Sooners had more coming or not, though. He was already likely going to start the season as the No. 5 running back on the depth chart during his final season.
If Ott does head to OU, then Taylor Tatum and/or Gavin Sawchuk could be the next running backs to flee a crowded position for more carries somewhere else. Jovantae Barnes is the clear No. 1 back before Ott's possible addition, likely followed by sophomore Xavier Robinson. That leaves Tatum and Sawchuk fighting for leftover carries that would get even more sparse with Ott in the mix.
Because of new roster limits, the Sooners must cap their roster at 105 players. Franklin's departure, plus the other two, puts OU at 104 based on the most recent spring roster. More will likely follow as the Sooners look to add more than just one player during this spring window. Some could be forced, while others look elsewhere for more opportunity.