Jaydn Ott in, David Stone out highlights wild OU week 1 in spring portal window

We’re almost halfway through the spring portal window for OU. Head coach Brent Venables, general manager Jim Nagy and the Sooners are putting in the work. And we’re seeing what college football reality is like in spring 2025.

A review of what’s happened and where we stand.

“Finding any, if there are any, holes, making sure that whoever it is that comes in, if anybody, that they can make us better,” Venables said. “So you don’t know a lot about that yet, about who’s available and things of that nature. But there’s a lot that goes into it, but it’s been a lot of fun, I’ll be honest, and educational for the staff. Staff’s hungry to continue to find ways to improve and get better in this space. So really feel like we have the resources to be able to do that and the vision and leadership to be able to do that, with our GM and the guys he’s been able to bring in.

“Probably every position on your team, you can say, we can use another guy there. We really could. So we have our priorities and really don’t want to talk through those now. If we find anybody that can meet the needs and make us better immediately, can make a difference, where we might need some help. So we’ll look at everything and see what’s available.”

OU transfer portal additions (2)

RB Jaydn Ott (California)

The splashiest splash that could splash. Ott will be the No. 1 running back during this portal window, maybe combined with the winter one as well. He rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns during his breakout 2023 season. He immediately makes the OU running back room that much better, that much deeper.

OG/C Jake Maikkula (Stanford)

We’re going to find out how this one goes. If nothing else, Maikkula becomes an incredibly serviceable backup to center Troy Everett. At best? Maikkula is even better than Everett and raises the ceiling of what could be for the OU offensive line. Either way, it feels like this should work for OU and adds great depth to the interior.

OU transfer portal defections (7)

DT David Stone

If Ott was the biggest positive surprise, chalk up Stone as the equal for the opposite. Because nobody saw this coming, nobody wanted this to come. A huge shock for Stone, who was set to have a much bigger role in 2025, to decide to enter the portal Friday night. OU fans are still stunned, maybe even in denial and holding out hope OU can convince Stone to reconsider and stick around.

OG/C Josh Aisosa

Ideally? Aisosa would have been able to separate himself in the last few months to become the unquestioned backup center. Reality? OU went into the portal as soon as it could even before the spring window opened and grabbed Maikkula. Aisosa always seemed like he was fired up to be a Sooner, just not sure it ever would have happened on a regular basis.

DB Jocelyn Malaska

This felt like a feel-good story when Malaska transferred to OU from Utah. The local kid coming back home for a second shot. But nothing ever materialized. His name was never mentioned. Malaska will be looking for his third school.

DB Pete Schuh

A consequence of how the roster game is played now. Schuh also had to battle a major injury within months of initially arriving at OU. Did his part as a practice and scout player, but again, a sign of the times in 2025. No room.

RB Samuel Franklin

Even before Ott, most felt like Franklin wasn’t going to be with OU when fall camp began. He didn’t capitalize on his limited opportunities in 2024 and nobody really uttered his name throughout spring. Writing was on the wall. And when Ott was in the conversation, Franklin knew it was time to move on.

S Mykel Patterson-McDonald

You give credit to both parties for attempting to work it out. Patterson-McDonald hit the portal during the winter window before opting to return. But he never stood out during spring when talking with his teammates.

TE Davon Mitchell

How many second chances can you get? We heard it all in 2024 about Mitchell needing to mature, both on the field and off the field. OU wanted it to happen so badly, but obviously, nothing ever connected at the desired level. Mitchell took full fault for how 2024 went on his end, and maybe a fresh start became the only real option.