ESPN's low ranking ignites debate as Oklahoma's strategic transfer portal haul, focused on offense, aims to elevate their already elite defense for 2026
For the Oklahoma Sooners, entering the 2026 season on the heels of a strong 2025 campaign, their approach to the portal was deliberate and focused. However, ESPN's recent evaluation of the 2026 transfer portal classes placed Oklahoma at a modest 24th out of the top 25, suggesting a class that, while competent, lacks the flash or volume of some SEC rivals.
This ranking has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with many arguing that it undervalues the strategic precision of OU's additions. By prioritizing offensive reinforcements around new quarterback John Mateer while relying on an already elite defense, the Sooners have positioned themselves as a balanced powerhouse capable of competing with anyone in the country.
ESPN's assessment highlights the smaller scale of Oklahoma's portal class compared to other SEC teams, noting that the Sooners secured fewer commits but zeroed in on bolstering the offense.
Specifically, they point out that the six highest-graded additions are all offensive players, including doublings at receiver, tight end, and the offensive line. Key names include E'Marion Harris, a massive 6-foot-7, 313-pound offensive lineman from Arkansas who started 24 games over the past two seasons and excels as a pass blocker.
Alongside him, Peyton Joseph from Georgia Tech joins as a developmental guard with four years of eligibility left. At receiver, Trell Harris from Virginia brings speed and elusiveness after the catch, while Parker Livingstone from Texas adds size at 6-foot-4, potentially forming a dynamic duo. The tight end room gets a boost with Hayden Hansen from Florida, an experienced in-line blocker, and Jack Van Dorselaer from Tennessee, who offers pass-catching upside.
These moves are tailored to support Mateer, a high-upside quarterback transfer who could thrive with better protection and weapons.
What ESPN's ranking overlooks is the context of Oklahoma's existing roster strengths, particularly on defense. Coming off a 2025 season where the Sooners finished 10-3, ranked 13th in the final AP poll, and made their first College Football Playoff appearance under head coach Brent Venables, the defense was a cornerstone of that success.
OU allowed just 15.5 points per game, ranking 7th nationally out of 136 teams, and held opponents to a stingy 272.5 total yards per game—figures that place them among the elite defensive units in the FBS.
They forced turnovers at a steady clip (1.0 per game) and limited first downs to 14.9 per contest, showcasing a unit that didn't require major portal intervention.
With returning talent like linebackers and secondary players who anchored this performance, Venables wisely avoided overloading the portal with defensive adds, opting instead for a handful of targeted pieces like defensive lineman Kenny Ozowalu from UTSA and linebacker Cole Sullivan from Michigan to maintain depth without disrupting chemistry.
This quality-over-quantity strategy is why many believe ESPN undervalued the class. While other rankings, such as 247Sports (19th) and On3 (23rd), place OU similarly in the low 20s, these metrics often favor volume—teams with 20+ commits score higher regardless of fit.
But for Oklahoma, a program already boasting a top-10 defense, the portal was about surgical enhancements to an offense that struggled at times in 2025. Additions like running back Lloyd Avant from Colorado State and tight end Rocky Beers from Colorado State further round out the group, providing immediate impact and versatility.
Cornerback Dakoda Fields from Oregon adds secondary depth, but the emphasis remains on offense, where the new pieces could elevate Mateer's play and create a more explosive attack.
ESPN's take from Craig Haubert misses the fact that this balanced roster now mirrors successful models like Indiana's 2025 turnaround, where portal additions complemented a strong foundation to yield unexpected results.
With the SEC's grueling schedule ahead, Oklahoma doesn't need a massive overhaul; they need complements that maximize their strengths. The portal class, though small, achieves that by addressing pass protection, receiving options, and blocking—areas that could turn close losses into wins.
As Venables continues to build, this undervalued haul positions the Sooners not just to compete, but to contend for titles.
In a league where defense wins championships, OU's elite unit paired with an upgraded offense makes them a sleeper threat that rankings like ESPN's fail to fully appreciate.