Oklahoma enters crowded portal race for productive defensive tackle

The Oklahoma Sooners and every other college football program have been after new talent long before the Transfer Portal officially opened on Friday, but now those offers are starting to see the daylight.

Arkansas State transfer defensive tackle Cody Sigler on Friday announced via X that he received an offer from the Sooners. Sigler is expected to visit Oklahoma and multiple other Power Four programs soon. He's also already announced offers from Auburn and Florida State.

Arkansas State transfer defensive tackle Cody Sigler announces OU offer

According to Noles247, other programs in the mix for Sigler include Oklahoma State, Penn State, Kentucky, Kansas State, Iowa State, Maryland, Wake Forest, Wisconsin, Mississippi State and USC, and that list will likely continue to grow. He's expected to visit several of those suitors before making a decision, so it's not a commitment OU fans can anticipate coming soon.

Saturday Blitz ranks Sigler as the No. 7 interior defensive lineman available in the portal.

This season as a redshirt junior, Sigler tallied 35 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, six pass deflections and a fumble returned for a score in 11 games. It was first year at Arkansas State after transferring from West Alabama, where he spent his first three years.

The Sooners have solidified starters at defensive tackle for 2026 with sophomores David Stone and Jayden Jackson returning, but considering how often Brent Venables rotates at the position, they are in need of some depth there, especially after Markus Strong entered the Transfer Portal. OU also lost Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams to eligibility and likely the NFL Draft.

Other returners at defensive tackle include freshmen Trent Wilson and Nigel Smith II, so Sigler, although not at the Power Four level, could be one of the most experienced players at the position if he ends at Oklahoma.