Report: Big 12 officials discussing deal to allow Texas, Oklahoma to join the SEC for 2024 season

While the public line from Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has been that Texas and Oklahoma will be staying in the league through the 2024-25 academic year and sports calendar, The Athletic has reported it is now a real possibility that the pair bolts for the SEC a year early. That would mean Oklahoma and Texas would be playing football as SEC members in 2024.

Brett McMurphy of The Action Network had the news first. Reporting from The Athletic confirmed that discussions on the topic have been taking place for several months.

Additionally, at a recent league meeting, Chris Del Conte and Joe Castiglione, the athletic directors for Texas and Oklahoma, respectively, were recused. During the time they were recused, the rest of the administrators reportedly got on mostly the same page about the Sooners and Longhorns leaving early.

“They’re definitely engaged on it and moving towards something where they will leave after next season,” one source was quoted as saying in The Athletic.

Another said “it’s likely” that Texas and Oklahoma make an early exit from the Big 12 for the SEC.

Advancing the timing of the change makes sense for a number of reasons.

For one, the two departing teams are probably more than willing to shorten the time they’re members of a conference they’re leaving.

But moreover, the move coming prior to the 2024 season would fall in line with a number of other massive ground shifts in college football. USC and UCLA will both be members of the Big Ten prior to the 2024 season and the expanded, 12-team College Football Playoff will be set for its first run that season, too.

There are certainly more finer points and particulars to iron out, but it’s more likely than ever that Texas and Oklahoma are in the SEC come the kickoff of the 2024 season.