Does Brent Venables ever sleep? Maybe not, as in addition to getting ready for the Week 2 showdown in Ann Arbor against Michigan, the Oklahoma head coach is also on his grind on the recruiting trail adding players who can still make a difference this season. Wait, what? That's exactly the case, as news just broke via Matt Zenitz that the Sooners have landed a transfer commitment from former Wisconsin starting cornerback D'Yoni Hill.
This is a bit of a surprise, but it's also going to be a welcome addition for the Sooners. Cornerbacks Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory are locked in as the starters, but depth has been a bit of a concern for Oklahoma. Adding a player of Hill's caliber sure fixes that problem a bit, and he also may not be the only transfer addition on the way for OU too...
Former Wisconsin and Miami cornerback D’Yoni Hill plans to transfer to Oklahoma, sources tell me and @BrodyLusk247.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 7, 2026
Hill, whom @GeorgeStoia had previously mentioned as a transfer possibility for OU, was a starter for Wisconsin last season. Started five games for Miami in 2024. pic.twitter.com/2ojnnDCGch
D’Yoni Hill has committed to Oklahoma, and LB Jaydon Southard could be next
In addition to Hill, SoonerScoop's George Stoia III has also reported that Stephen F. Austin linebacker transfer Jaydon Southard is also receiving strong interest from Oklahoma and Venables, as he is set to get an extra season just like Hill following a TRO that recently came in. So, two new defensive pieces with a ton of experience?
That's what could be on the way, but we know for sure thanks to Zenitz's update that Hill is for sure set to join Oklahoma soon. Last season as a starter for Luke Fickell and Wisconsin, the 6-0, 180-pounder finished 2025 with 39 total tackles. The season before at Miami, he started five games, and posted 33 tackles, and one pass deflection for Mario Cristobal.
Oklahoma is set to be Hill's third program that he suits up for, as he started his career with two seasons at Marshall, followed by one year each, respectively, with Miami and Wisconsin. With 128 total tackles and one interception in four seasons, those career numbers speak to the experience that he'll get ready to bring to the table.
Again, Hill won't be looked at to be a superstar for this team, but adding his sure tackling to this roster behind Bowen and Guillory is a welcome addition for Venables, who could also be ready to make another splash in bringing in Southard as well. Following the win over UTEP, everyone saw just how loaded OU is on both sides of the ball, and the thought of the defense getting even better should terrify the opposition.
This includes SEC foes, as the Sooners want to make a statement this season, with a deep College Football Playoff run being among this group's aspirations for '26. With Michigan coming up next, it could be too soon for Hill to get on the field to make life even more difficult for struggling quarterback Bryce Underwood, but the addition overall is something that could surely pay off in a key way the rest of the season. The same could be said for Southard if Venables ultimately ends up landing him as well.
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