Oklahoma Sooners 2025 Spring Transfer Portal Tracker: Full Analysis, Departures, Additions & What It All Means

As the 2025 college football season approaches, Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners have made notable moves in the spring transfer portal window. This period, which runs through the end of April, offers programs across the country a final opportunity to reshuffle their rosters before fall camp. For Oklahoma, it’s been a dynamic few weeks — full of surprising exits, crucial additions, and players opting to stay after initially entering the portal.

In this deep dive, we’ll cover every transfer portal movement involving the Sooners during the 2025 spring window — with context, film notes, projected depth chart implications, and how each move impacts OU’s chase for an SEC title in their second year in the league.

Notable Departures

The biggest portal activity usually revolves around who’s leaving. For Oklahoma, the spring exits have mostly involved role players, walk-ons, or younger players looking for new opportunities. However, a few names stand out:

Sam Franklin (RB)

A former three-star recruit from The Woodlands (TX), Franklin never broke into the running back rotation consistently behind stars like Gavin Sawchuk. While talented, Franklin saw limited reps and entered the portal seeking more carries elsewhere. His departure opens a path for 2024 redshirt freshman Xavier Robinson or incoming Cal transfer Jaydn Ott to play a bigger role.

Davon Mitchell (TE)

Mitchell’s exit caught some fans by surprise. A former blue-chip tight end prospect and early enrollee, Mitchell flashed in practices and was expected to compete for a rotational spot behind Kade McIntyre and Jason Llewellyn. His decision to leave could reflect a desire for a more tight end–centric offense.

Mykel Patterson-McDonald (S)

A local product out of Westmoore High School (OKC), Patterson-McDonald played sparingly as a true freshman. Though loaded with potential, he sat behind veterans like Billy Bowman and Reggie Pearson Jr. His decision to transfer may be more about timing — he could be an impact player down the road, but OU’s current safety room is just too deep.

Jocelyn Malaska & Pete Schuh (CB/S)

Both were walk-ons who provided depth during practice. Their exits are typical of spring attrition, especially as schools manage the 85-scholarship limit.

Josh Aisosa (OL)

A key piece of Oklahoma’s scout team last season, Aisosa’s departure is a minor depth hit. However, OU added key linemen in this cycle and retains much of its two-deep.

Impactful Additions

The Sooners also pulled in several high-upside players to immediately strengthen their 2025 roster. These additions were strategic — aimed at bolstering the trenches and backfield.

Jaydn Ott (RB – Cal)

Ott is easily the splashiest name on this list. A dynamic playmaker who earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2023, he brings elite speed, vision, and home-run ability to a Sooners offense that lost key contributors in the backfield.

2023 stats at Cal:

• 1,315 yards rushing
• 12 touchdowns
• 27 catches for 232 yards

After suffering an ankle injury early in 2024, Ott’s stock dipped slightly, but his ceiling remains high. Expect him to push for RB1 duties alongside Gavin Sawchuk, giving OU a terrifying one-two punch.

Jake Maikkula (OL – Stanford)

Maikkula is a quietly excellent addition. He brings over 20 career starts from Stanford, with experience at both guard and tackle. Oklahoma lost some key pieces along the offensive line, and Maikkula’s versatility makes him a projected starter — potentially at right guard or swing tackle.

Film notes:

• High football IQ
• Strong pass protector
• Agile footwork for zone-blocking scheme

His addition not only fills a need but stabilizes the line for new quarterback Jackson Arnold.

Ricky Lolohea (DL – Utah State)

Lolohea brings much-needed depth and maturity to a defensive line that’s long been considered OU’s Achilles’ heel. A fifth-year senior, he started 10 games for Utah State in 2024, tallying 5.5 TFLs and 3 sacks. He’ll likely compete with Ashton Sanders and Gracen Halton for rotation snaps.

Players Who Entered — But Stayed

In one of the more dramatic moments of the spring, star defensive tackle David Stone briefly entered the portal before withdrawing and recommitting to Oklahoma.

David Stone (DL)

Stone, a former five-star and top-10 national recruit, had every major program in the country reaching out when his name appeared in the portal. Within 48 hours, however, he pulled out and confirmed he would remain a Sooner.

Why it matters:
Stone played in all 13 games as a true freshman and is expected to be a focal point of the defensive front in 2025. His combination of power, get-off, and flexibility is rare. Simply put: he’s a future NFL Draft pick. Keeping him was a major win for Brent Venables and Miguel Chavis.

Depth Chart Impact & Projections

Let’s look at how these moves shake up OU’s roster heading into summer:

RB Room:

• Gavin Sawchuk
• Jaydn Ott
• Xavier Robinson
• Caleb Hicks

OL Two-Deep (Post-Maikkula Addition):

• LT: Jacob Sexton / Jake Taylor
• LG: Cayden Green / Jake Maikkula
• C: Troy Everett
• RG: Jake Maikkula / Nate Anderson
• RT: Tyler Guyton / Marcus Alexander

DL Rotation:

• DE: PJ Adebawore
• DT: David Stone / Ricky Lolohea
• DT: Da’Jon Terry / Kelvin Gilliam
• DE: R Mason Thomas

OU’s defensive front now looks as complete as it has since Venables took over.

Portal Strategy & Coaching Philosophy

Venables and his staff are approaching the portal with selectiveness. Unlike other SEC teams who shotgun approach the portal (think Auburn or Florida), Oklahoma is targeting:

• Power 5 starters with proven production
• Culture fits
• Experienced players at positions of need

This year’s haul reflects a “quality over quantity” mantra, echoing the staff’s belief in player development and locker room continuity.

What This Means for 2025

With a bolstered offensive line, a two-headed monster at running back, and a strengthened defensive interior, Oklahoma looks poised to take a leap in Year 2 of SEC play. The 2024 season showed flashes, but consistency was elusive.

If Jackson Arnold takes the expected sophomore leap — and the defense continues trending upward — Oklahoma could be a legitimate playoff contender.

What to Watch Moving Forward

While the spring portal window officially closes at the end of April, players can still commit after that date if they entered before the deadline. That means:

• OU could still land another corner or edge rusher
• Don’t be surprised if one more WR or DB transfers out

The Sooners will continue evaluating needs through summer workouts, and late additions aren’t off the table.

The Oklahoma Sooners didn’t go wild in the 2025 spring transfer portal — and that’s a good thing. Instead of overhauling the roster, Venables and his staff used the portal as a scalpel, not a sledgehammer.

They kept a future NFL star in David Stone. They added a potential 1,000-yard rusher in Jaydn Ott. They reinforced the offensive and defensive lines. And they managed attrition without losing any major pieces on the two-deep.

As SEC play looms again, Oklahoma looks sharper, deeper, and more dangerous than it has in years.