The spring has came and went as the Oklahoma Sooners put the finishing touches on their 2025 roster during the first transfer portal cycle with new general manager Jim Nagy.
The Sooners added five new players from the transfer portal during the brief spring window, including three to the offensive side of the ball. It was more quality over quantity for OU, as all but one should make an immediate impact for the Sooners this upcoming season.
Where Sooners' spring additions rank
Defensive tackle Ricky Lolohea is likely the only spring addition that won't contribute much in 2025.
Lolohea played eight games as a redshirt freshman last season at Utah State, where OU's new inside linebackers coach Nate Dreiling was interim head coach. He started his career at Oklahoma State, where he redshirted in 2023.
Although he might not see the field much in 2025, Lolohea wasn't a wasted addition for the Sooners. He'll add some valuable depth to the Sooners' defensive line, which is needed throughout a physical SEC slate.
Similar to Lolohea, Jake Maikkula also added needed depth in the trenches, but on the other side of the ball. However, because of his experience and versatility to play anywhere on the interior of the offensive line, Maikkula could win a starting job.
If Maikkula does beat out Troy Everett at center or takes over one of the guard spots, then he should belong higher on this list. Unfortunately, injuries are also frequent along the offensive line, so Maikkula could wind up being one of the most underrated portal additions of the offseason.
Jer'Michael Carter's impact (or lack of) will be more obvious because of his position as a wide receiver.
Even if he doesn't start, Carter could be a gem from the FCS level and provide some big plays for the Sooners. Winter addition Javonnie Gibson also raised some eyebrows during spring ball, but then he broke his leg. Although Brent Venables expects Gibson to be back for the season opener, that setback could open up a lot more opportunity for Carter to emerge as one of the Sooners' top receivers in 2025.
Tate Sandell could be OU's most underrated addition of the offseason, which is usually the case for kickers.
Fans were worried about the Sooners' kicking situation after the Crimson Combine, and apparently Nagy agreed since he went and got Sandell from UTSA, where Sandell set multiple school records. That also means OU probably expects Sandell to take over kicking duties, and he has a strong enough leg to come up clutch for the Sooners at some point this season.
There's a reason Jaydn Ott was the headiner of OU's spring portal haul.
Out of California, Ott was the No. 1 running back available in the transfer portal after leading the Pac-12 in rushing in 2023. The Sooners already had a loaded running back room and a solid No. 1 option in Jovantae Barnes, but Ott will still assume OU's lead back role.
The expectations for Ott in OU's offense are extremely high, with CBS Sports already ranking him as the top running back in the SEC. If Ott even comes close to those expectations, then his impact will be obvious and he was a no-brainer to top this list.
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