It cannot be repeated enough that the Transfer Portal both gives and takes.
Just moments after Oklahoma landed a monster commitment from Michigan transfer linebacker Cole Sullivan, On3's Hayes Fawcett broke the news that OU linebacker Sammy Omosigho will enter the Transfer Portal to play his final season of college football elsewhere.
Sammy Omosigho transferring from Sooners
After being used primarily as a reserve during his career, 2026 looked to be Omosigho's season to rise as a starter on the Sooners' defense. He appeared in every game this season without a start as a junior. In 13 games, Omosigho recorded all career-highs with 50 tackles, two sacks and three pass deflections. He also had 4.5 tackles for loss after tallying five in 2024, when he started three games at cheetah.
Omosigho got to Oklahoma in 2023 as a consensus four-star recruit and No. 6 linebacker in the class, according to 247Sports, out of Crandall High School in Texas. He had other offers from the likes of Auburn, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma State and more. He had been paying his dues ever since, but looks to be leaving just before it all would have paid off.
The addition of Sullivan certainly softens any blow the Sooners take at linebacker, but Omosigho was a top priority for OU general manager Jim Nagy to retain with so much uncertainty at the position and familiarity with Brent Venables' system. The Sooners are still waiting to learn if Owen Heinecke and Kip Lewis will return in 2026.
Omosigho's departure was likely influenced by Sullivan's commitment based on timing, but it could also signify the return of Heinecke or Lewis, which would create a crowded room. If not, Nagy will have to continue to hunt experienced linebackers in the portal to join with James Nesta and Taylor Heim. However, even with the loss of Omosigho, even just one of Heinecke or Lewis returning to pair with Sullivan will still leave the Sooners just fine at linebacker in 2026.