Oklahoma defensive end Adepoju "PJ" Adebawore was in the Transfer Portal. And then all of a sudden he wasn't, and the Sooners now hope it stays that way.
On3's Pete Nakos reported on Monday that Adebawore, who has one year of eligibility left, entered the portal for all of about two minutes before withdrawing his name from the database. According to Nakos, Adebawore is expected to stay at Oklahoma despite the brief portal entry, but there hasn't been clarity on why exactly he entered at all, especially for just a moment.
Adepoju Adebawore briefly enters Transfer Portal
There was worry over the weekend that Adebawore would enter the portal and play his final season of college football elsewhere, so his initially entry wasn't really a shock, but the odd situation of entering then almost immediately withdrawing definitely drew questions. Adebawore still has until the portal closes on Friday to enter his name if he chooses to actually leave Oklahoma, so the Sooners aren't fully in the clear just yet.
Next year could be a breakout season for Adebawore, who has failed to live up to expectations so far. He signed with the Sooners in 2023 as a consensus five-star recruit. On3 ranked him as high as the No. 4 overall player in the class.
Adebawore immediately saw the field as a freshman and played in all 13 games as a reserve. An injury then hindered him in 2024 as he missed three games and was slowed down throughout the season. He was fully healthy this season, though, as a depth piece at what was a loaded position for the Sooners.
Despite playing in 36 games for the Sooners, though, Adebawore has never made a start in his three seasons. With the Sooners losing R Mason Thomas and Marvin Jones Jr. because of eligibility, Adebawore is expected to compete with Danny Okoye for a starting job at one of the edge spots as long as he stays at OU. Taylor Wein should already have the other spot locked up.
However, if Adebawore decides to actually leave, the Sooners will have to immediately look in the portal for experience at defensive end after much of the talent has already been claimed. Recruiting Adebawore to stay in Norman should be easier and much more beneficial for the Sooners, no matter how fans feel about his portal tease.