Former Oklahoma offensive tackle to transfer back to home state

Former Oklahoma offensive tackle Noah Nelson will transfer to Northern Arizona, he announced Monday. A native of Gilbert, Arizona, the move will allow him to be closer to friends and family.

On3’s Matt Zenitz first reported Wednesday that Nelson would attend NAU.

The 6-foot-8, 295 pound lineman was medically disqualified from the Sooners program and removed from the roster in July 2021. He entered the transfer portal in October after being cleared to return to the game.

Nelson redshirted in 2020 and played in a single game for Oklahoma against Missouri State.

The three-star recruit was the No. 48 offensive tackle and No. 12 player out of Arizona in the class of 2020 according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He attended Williams Field High School, earning the title of No. 12 best player out of Arizona.

In addition to Oklahoma, the offensive tackle also received scholarship offers from Auburn, Michigan, USC and many others out of high school.

The Sooners finished this past season 11-2, defeating Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. After coach Lincoln Riley left for USC at the season’s conclusion, Oklahoma hired Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables as his replacement. The Sooners open the 2022 season on Sept. 3 against the UTEP Miners.

The former Oklahoma offensive tackle is one of several players to enter the transfer portal recently. The Sooners have lost some big names, including quarterback Spencer Rattler, receivers Jadon Haselwood and Mario Williams, and tight end Austin Stogner. Additionally quarterback Caleb Williams, former No. 1 overall prospect in the 2021 class, has entered the portal.

With so many familiar faces gone from the program, Oklahoma fans will have to get used to a new cast of players in 2022. Can they make it back to the Big 12 Championship after missing this past year’s game?