Since the regular season ended, Oklahoma football has been a roller coaster of roster turnover.
Last year, offensive tackle Cayden Green announced he was entering the transfer portal during bowl practice, Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon, and the Sooners had to rebuild their offensive line. Head coach Brent Venables also made the defensive line a significant priority entering the SEC and landed former TCU standout Damonic Williams over LSU and Texas.
In all, the Sooners have done a fantastic job enhancing their football team entering the 2024 season. And, these are some of the best incoming transfer players Oklahoma football will have on their roster this year.
Oklahoma Football: Top transfer portal acquisitions from 2024
New Sooners on Offense
Casey Thompson, quarterback
Casey Thompson (6-foot, 197 pounds) might not play much this season. And ideally, that would be the Sooners’ hope, but if something were to happen to Arnold, Thompson offers an intriguing “break-glass-in-case-of-emergency” option.
He has plenty of experience, starting his college football career back in 2018; and with Davis Beville and General Booty joining Gabriel departing via the portal, adding Thompson was critical for the Sooners’ offensive portal movement.
Geirean Hatchett, guard
Yet another offensive line addition for Oklahoma football. Geirean Hatchett figures to slide in at guard for the Sooners after playing eight games and starting four for Washington, the national runners-up, last season. He missed a stretch of games due to injury but returned to appear in the Pac-12 title game and both of the Huskies’ College Football Playoff games.
Febechi Nwaiwu, guard
Febechi Nwaiwu (6-feet 4-inches, 326 pounds) has two years of eligibility after transferring from North Texas, where he played guard and tackle. In 2022, he was a second-team Freshman All-American by The Athletic and third-team by College Football News. He was a major part in helping the Mean Green average nearly 200 rushing yards per game for Seth Littrell’s offense.
Branson Hickman, center
With the spring injury to Troy Everett, the Sooners needed to add experience at center in the late portal window. They did so by adding Branson Hickman from SMU.
Hickman started 33 games for the Mustangs over the last three seasons and was a second-team All-AAC performer the previous season. According to Pro Football Focus, he didn’t allow any sacks in 517 pass-blocking snaps last season.
Michael Tarquin, offensive tackle
The former Florida and USC offensive lineman primarily played tackle for the Trojans last season after switching between left guard and tackle for the Gators the two years prior. Michael Tarquin was used as a left tackle in the Sooners’ spring game, but his versatility could make him a precious piece in an offensive line transition in 2024.
Jake Roberts, tight end
The tight end spot took a step back last season for the Sooners. Austin Stogner’s 18 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown led the way for the group. So it was no surprise the position was an area of focus over the offseason.
The Sooners added two figures to contribute, plus signing Davon Mitchell. However, Jake Roberts may be the one worth monitoring this year. In his one season at Baylor after transferring from North Texas, Roberts (6-feet 4-inches, 251 pounds) had 23 catches for 231 yards and a touchdown in 12 games (three starts).
Bauer Sharp, tight end
It’s hard not to group the pair, yet with Roberts limited in the spring, Bauer Sharp was one of the most pleasant surprises in the group. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Sharp is a converted quarterback who is still coming into his own at the tight end position.
However, he had 23 catches for 231 yards and a score at Southeastern Louisiana last season. Against Mississippi State in last season’s opener, he had 20 yards on two catches and had a 13-yard run.
Deion Burks, wide receiver
While Williams’ commitment sent ripples throughout the nation, Purdue transfer wide receiver Deion Burks has a chance to be OU’s most productive transfer.
It was only a spring game, but Burks caught five passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns in the first half before sitting out in the second half. That glimpse showed us what he’s capable of, and what he’s done in the past.
Burks finished last season with 629 receiving yards, 47 catches, and seven touchdowns catches with the Boilermakers. The speedy receiver appears to have created a bond with new quarterback Jackson Arnold, and if the two can perfect their craft during the summer, Burks could be scary.
New Sooners on Defense
Damonic Williams, defensive lineman
Williams (6-feet 2-inches, 320 pounds) is a game-changer. He was one of the top players in the portal, and his recruitment process was extensive. He visited LSU, Missouri, and Texas and took the time to make the right decision for himself.
A two-year starter with TCU, Williams was named a true freshman All-American in 2022 when the Horned Frogs lost to Georgia in the national championship game. In two seasons in Fort Worth, Williams totaled 60 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He provides significant power on the line. More importantly, Williams’ commitment signified the Sooners can recruit the portal with any program, and they aren’t shying away from the NIL game.
Dez Malone, cornerback
Dez Malone started all 12 games at cornerback last season at San Diego State, with 47 tackles, two for loss, seven pass breakups, and an interception. He started 23 games for the Aztecs over the last two seasons.
While Woodi Washington and Gentry Williams are likely to be the Sooners’ top two cornerbacks, Malone figures to be a key depth piece at the position this season.
