Kendal Daniels still won't be leaving the state of Oklahoma.
Hayes Fawcett of On3 reported on Monday that Daniels will transfer to Oklahoma from Bedlam rival Oklahoma State. Daniels will have one year of eligibility left after starting for the Cowboys for three seasons.
BREAKING: Oklahoma State star transfer Safety/LB Kendal Daniels has Committed to Oklahoma, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 6, 2025
The 6’4 240 S/LB totaled 240 Tackles, 7.5 Sacks, 13 PD, 5 INT, & 2 FF in 3 seasons
Freshman All-American & Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honorshttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/cY5uGoFcZ0
Daniels' college career began as a safety, but because of his size at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, he moved down to play more linebacker this season. That versatility and experience will be vital in Brent Venables' defense considering Daniels could play linebacker, safety or even Venables' hybrid cheetah position.
Kendel Dolby is returning after being the go-to at cheetah this season, but Daniels can still provide needed depth there and could even compete for the starting job. Regardless, Daniels will be on the field a lot next season because of where all he can play.
From Beggs, Oklahoma, Daniels has never suited up for a team outside of the state of Oklahoma. The Sooners pursued Daniels as a consensus four-star recruit before he ultimately chose OSU after initially committing to Texas A&M.
Daniels redshirted his first year at OSU before making an immediate impact as a redshirt freshman, emerging as a Freshman All-American by multiple outlets and was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
In his Cowboy career, Daniels totaled 240 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 13 pass breakups, five interceptions and two forced fumbles, proving he can do a little bit of everything.
KENDAL DANIELS SEALS IT. pic.twitter.com/HQkLCMHIwF
— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) October 22, 2022
Daniels' freshman season was certainly his best, though, but he had a dropoff in production after Bryan Nardo was hired to be OSU's defensive coordinator and implement the 3-3-5 system, which failed miserably and never stuck in Stillwater. Nardo was fired at the end of this season.
After getting 12 additions from the transfer portal for either the offensive side of the ball or on special teams, Daniels gave the Sooners' back-to-back defensive commitments and brought OU's transfer total to 14.
Both of OU's defensive additions will play integral roles immediately. Edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. committed Sunday after stops at Florida State and Georgia. Jones will likely start at one of the defensive end spots next season.