OU crosses off kicker in transfer portal in Week 2, still work to do

Week 2 of the transfer portal spring window has come and gone, and OU was as active as it was in the first week.

None of the earth-shattering defections for the Sooners, and OU even got David Stone back. But head coach Brent Venables, general manager Jim Nagy and staff continue to make the moves.

The window has now closed. But the chaos? That will go on for at least another week.

OU transfer portal additions (4)

K Tate Sandell (UTSA)

It’s not exactly the most glamorous position in the world, but you know when you don’t have a solid kicker. And as spring practice came to a close, you knew the Sooners were going to be active in the market. Sandell has quality career numbers for field goals under 50 yards, and OU is hoping it pulled off a strong, late pull here.

DT Ricky Lolohea (Utah State)

Getting David Stone back wasn’t the only work OU did at defensive tackle. The goal was to find someone who wouldn’t be a one-year rental. Someone who could grow and develop during his time in Norman. Enter Lolohea. Add in his natural connection with inside linebackers coach Nate Dreiling because of their time at Utah State, made all the sense in the world.

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 (8)

RB Gavin Sawchuk

You wondered after Ott entering the fold, would there be one or two more defections at the running back spot. That’s just kind of the way that it works. Sure enough, it took until the final night, but it happened with Sawchuk news breaking late Friday night. You can’t question his loyalty to OU, but it just feels like the Sooners wanted to go another direction.

QB Cole Gonzales (Pittsburgh)

You just want those quarterback depth numbers for practice, if nothing else. Gonzales was extremely accomplished at Western Carolina, sure felt like he would fit right in. Arriving in the winter and leaving in the spring, didn’t take long for Gonzales to decide to move on. Also did not take long for Gonzales to find his next spot, heading to Pittsburgh.

OG/C Josh Aisosa (West Virginia)

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. He announced his commitment to West Virginia.

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.