Weighing the impact of Oklahoma landing transfer commitments from Dasan McCullough, Jacob Lacey

Help is on the way for the Oklahoma defense in the form of transfers Dasan McCullough and Jacob Lacey. The two new additions should fit in immediately next year for the Sooners, which finished ninth in the Big 12 in total defense during Brent Venables’ inaugural season.

ESPN analyst Greg McElroy is one person excited about the potential the pair brings to Norman, singing their praises on his Always College Football podcast.

“Oklahoma’s been busy in the portal,” McElroy said. “We’ll kind of update you with what they’ve added. A couple of key pieces along the defensive front. Dasan McCullough is transferring from Indiana to Oklahoma and then Jacob Lacey is transferring from Notre Dame to Oklahoma. So two potentially impactful defensive linemen for the Oklahoma Sooners and boy, do they need it. Brent Venables need that presence in the front seven.”

Of the two players, Lacey brings the most college experience. A four-star recruit coming out of high school in 2019, he has spent the past four seasons with the Fighting Irish and ranks as the No. 17 overall player according to On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings. He recorded a career-high two sacks this past season while appearing in just five games.

McCullough, who just finished his freshman season at Indiana, was also a four-star recruit in the 2022 class. He ranked slightly higher than Lacey as the No. 12 overall player in On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings. He appeared in 10 games this past season and recorded 49 tackles (6.5 for loss) and four sacks.

Oklahoma allowed 189 rushing yards per game this season, and help up front was desperately needed. As Venables, a former defensive coordinator, looks to improve that unit, both Dasan McCullough and Jacob Lacey will certainly play a vital role next season. Oklahoma ended the year 6-6 in Venables’ inaugural season, but the Sooners are taking the right steps to bounce back in 2023.