On the same day the Oklahoma Sooners were set to celebrate their national title with fans back in Norman at Kimrey Family Stadium, they already suffered their first transfer portal losses before the party even started.
Multiple reports surfaced on Wednesday to break the news that outfielders Drew Dickerson and Alec Blair were the Sooners' first transfer portal departures since winning the national title after an unbelievable run at the Men's College World Series. The duo followed right-handed pitcher Joey McMannis, who never played in a game during his one season at OU after transferring from Maryland, made his decision even before the MCWS.
Quick departures were expected, though, even with the Sooners enjoying a national title. College sports move fast now, and things are even quicker when a team gets a longer season than anyone else. The transfer portal closes on Tuesday, which gave head coach Skip Johnson just a week to retain the players he wants back in 2027 to defend the Sooners' championship.
Read more: Tracking every player Oklahoma baseball loses and gains from the transfer portal
Alec Blair and Drew Dickerson leave Sooners days after winning national title
Blair got to Oklahoma around this time last year to play two sports for the Sooners, but now he won't play either in Norman. Blair, listed at 6-foot-6, was supposed to play baseball and basketball as a two-sport athlete, but just one game into his freshman basketball season, Blair abruptly quit the team to focus on baseball.
Once baseball season started, he appeared in 30 games and made 24 starts, primarily in right field, then lost his starting role before the Sooners' postseason turnaround, which ultimately pushed him into the portal. He hit .247 with two home runs, 18 RBI and 11 runs in 93 at-bats. It's unknown if Blair will again try to play two sports at his next stop.
Although Blair is the most well-known name among OU fans because of his two-sport fame, Dickerson is actually the most devastating loss. He was even one of the five players that I listed who Johnson needed to keep in Norman so the Sooners can have the best chance at repeating in 2027.
Dickerson broke out as a freshman in 2025, slugging .303 with four home runs while starting 17 games, mostly at DH. This season, he appeared in 35 games with 22 starts, again primarily at DH, and had a .281 average with four homers, 21 RBI and 20 runs.
It's not a shock Dickerson hit the portal after inconsistent playing time, but he could have become a regular in 2027. His bat would be hard to keep out of the lineup, and his versatility as an outfielder converted from shortstop would open up a lot of opportunities for a starting role.
The portal takes, though, even after winning a national title. The good news is that now, Johnson has more leverage than ever to find replacements for those created voids.
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