Star WRs Harris & Livingstone deliver immediate firepower, but massive exodus leaves depth in tatters
This week on The Jones Report, Roundtable Sooners publisher Tyler Jones and Roundtable OkState editor Thomas Bridges dive into the fast-paced world of the NCAA Transfer Portal during its opening week.
The discussion centers on how the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys have navigated the early chaos of roster rebuilding, with significant additions and departures shaping their trajectories for the 2026 season.
For the Oklahoma Sooners, the portal activity has been a mix of strategic reinforcements and concerning attrition.
The program has secured around 10 key additions so far, focusing on high-impact talent capable of contributing immediately.
Standout acquisitions include wide receiver Trell Harris, an All-ACC performer from Virginia who posted an impressive 59-catch, 847-yard, five-touchdown season in 2025, bringing proven explosiveness and reliability to the receiving corps.
Joining him is Parker Livingstone, a former Texas Longhorn who adds depth and playmaking ability from a bitter rival, instantly intensifying the Red River rivalry narrative.
These moves are particularly exciting if quarterback John Mateer and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III—both key contributors to Oklahoma's 2025 College Football Playoff run—return as anticipated.
Mateer, despite some injury setbacks and interception issues in 2025, remains a dynamic dual-threat leader, while Sategna emerged as a star with nearly 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
With Harris and Livingstone in the fold, Jones expresses strong optimism that the Sooners' offense could become one of the most explosive in the SEC.
The skill-position talent would provide Mateer with diverse weapons: speed, size, and contested-catch ability, potentially forcing defenses to respect multiple threats and opening up the field.
That said, the picture isn't entirely rosy.
Oklahoma has seen a staggering 28 players enter the portal, creating significant depth concerns across the roster.
While the starting lineup looks promising—potentially as strong as any in the conference—the lack of reliable backups leaves little room for injury or underperformance.
Jones highlights this as a critical challenge: the Sooners must manage health and development carefully to avoid margin-for-error pitfalls in the grueling SEC schedule.
Shifting to Stillwater, the energy surrounding new head coach Eric Morris and the Oklahoma State Cowboys is immaculate.
In his first transfer portal cycle, Morris has moved aggressively, securing 33 commitments—a remarkable haul that signals a full-scale rebuild.
A substantial portion of this class—around 15 players—followed Morris from his previous stop at North Texas, demonstrating loyalty and trust in his vision.
Leading the charge are two standout Mean Green players: quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who topped the nation in passing yards (over 4,300) with 34 touchdowns in 2025, offering elite arm talent and experience; and running back Caleb Hawkins, a dynamic backfield threat capable of big plays on the ground and through the air.
Bridges praises Morris for cleaning house effectively while simultaneously building a foundation that points the Cowboys in a positive direction.
After recent struggles under the previous regime, this influx of talent—combined with Morris's track record of high-powered offenses—has fans buzzing about a potential turnaround in the Big 12.
The episode also features a special guest segment with college basketball analyst DeShaun Tate, who provides a comprehensive breakdown of the current landscape in Big 12 and SEC hoops.
Tate covers standout teams, emerging stars, conference races, and key matchups, offering insights into how these powerhouse leagues are shaping up amid early-season surprises and roster adjustments.
Overall, this week's show captures the high-stakes drama of transfer season, where programs like Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are making bold moves to position themselves for success in 2026.
Whether it's the Sooners' quest for offensive firepower amid depth worries or the Cowboys' rapid transformation under Morris, the portal has already delivered plenty of intrigue.
Fans won't want to miss the full discussion on The Jones Report for deeper analysis and expert takes on these developments.