OU football player tracker: Keeping up with Sooners in transfer portal and bound for NFL

NORMAN — The window for the NCAA's transfer portal officially opened on Dec. 5, and some players have already started weighing their options.

OU (6-6, 3-6 Big 12) is set to face Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 29, although its roster isn't exempt from the threat of departures in the coming days. In addition to leaving via the portal, some players have also said their goodbyes to Norman by declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Here's a list of each OU player who is on the move.

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Players who entered the transfer portal

Theo Wease

Redshirt junior wide receiver Theo Wease announced his intention to enter the transfer portal Nov. 29 and committed to Missouri on Dec. 11.

The former five-star prospect's career at OU came with ups and downs. After recording career-highs of 37 catches, 530 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2020, he missed the 2021 campaign due to injury.

Wease then entered the transfer portal on Dec. 1 but returned to OU on Dec. 17. He made 19 catches for 378 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Wease recorded 64 catches for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns in his three campaigns with the Sooners.

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Jordan Mukes

Sophomore defensive back Jordan Mukes announced his intention to enter the transfer portal Nov. 29.

The Midwest City native and former Choctaw High School standout committed to the Sooners in 2020. He chose OU over programs such as Oklahoma State, Arkansas and Kansas State.

Mukes played in 12 games last season and recorded four tackles. He didn't appear in any games for the Sooners this season.

Joshua Eaton

Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports reported Nov. 30 that junior cornerback Joshua Eaton will enter the transfer portal. He then announced his commitment to Texas State on Jan. 9.

A former four-star prospect, Eaton tallied a combined six tackles in both 2020 and 2021. He didn't record any tackles in four appearances this season.

Kendall Dennis

Redshirt sophomore cornerback Kendall Dennis announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 2 and committed to South Florida on Dec. 18.

A former four-star prospect, Dennis redshirted the 2020 season and didn't make an appearance for the Sooners in 2021. He played in seven of OU's games this season and made four tackles in the process.

Ralph Rucker

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ralph Rucker announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 2. He then committed to Bucknell.

Rucker joined OU as a walk-on in 2021. His lone appearance last season came in a game against Western Carolina, where he went 2-for-2 through the air for 20 yards.

Alton Tarber

Freshman defensive lineman Alton Tarber also announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 2.

Tarber didn't make OU's three-deep depth chart entering this season, and he didn't appear in a game for the team as a result.

A former three-star recruit, Tarber chose OU over programs such as Georgia Tech and Miami.

Nick Evers

OU's quarterback room took a hit on Dec. 3 when freshman Nick Evers announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.

A former four-star recruit, Evers flipped his commitment from Florida to OU in December. His lone appearance came on the final drive of a Week 6 loss to Texas, where he didn't attempt a pass.

Evers was viewed as one of the Sooners' more promising young players. But his chances of eventually carving out a role in Norman decreased when OU gained a commitment from Jackson Arnold, a five-star recruit who is rated by ESPN as the best quarterback in the Class of 2023.

Evers committed to Wisconsin on Dec. 17. Later in the month, former OU quarterback Tanner Mordecai, who had spent the last two seasons at SMU, announced he would transfer to Wisconsin as well.

Bryson Washington

Redshirt sophomore defensive back Bryson Washington announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 3.

Washington played a combined 15 games in 2020 and 2021. He recorded 13 total tackles and made one interception.

Washington's only appearance this season came in a Week 1 win over UTEP, and he didn't record any tackles. The former four-star prospect chose OU over programs such as Texas and Alabama in 2019.

Brey Walker

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Brey Walker announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 4. He then committed to Texas State on April 30.

A former five-star recruit, Walker redshirted his first season in 2018 and then made two starts at right guard in 2019.

The Moore native and former Westmoore standout never cracked the starting lineup after that, though. He appeared in 39 total games for the Sooners.

Clayton Smith

Second-year freshman Clayton Smith entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5. He then committed to Arizona State on Jan. 19.

The outside linebacker is a former five-star prospect who chose OU over programs such as Texas, Oregon and LSU in 2020. He recorded three tackles (0.5 tackles for loss) and recovered a fumble in four appearances last season.

Smith appeared in another four games this season. He made five tackles, including one for loss.

Cedric Roberts

Freshman defensive lineman Cedric Roberts entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5. He then committed to Texas State on Dec. 19.

A former three-star prospect, Roberts did not appear in a game for the Sooners this season.

Roberts became the second freshman defensive lineman to enter the portal. He joins Tarber, who announced his intention to enter the portal on Dec. 2.

Brian Darby

Junior wide receiver Brian Darby entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5.

Darby is a former three-star recruit who chose OU over programs such as Arizona, Kansas State and Utah in 2020. He made eight catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Sooners.

Darby appeared in four games this season and didn't make any catches.

Davion Woolen

Freshman wide receiver Davion Woolen announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 6.

Woolen originally committed to Army in January but later joined OU as a preferred walk-on. He did not play in a game for the Sooners this season.

Josh Ellison

OU's depth at defensive tackle took a hit when senior Josh Ellison entered the transfer portal on Dec. 7. He then committed to Memphis on Jan. 16.

After spending his first season at Blinn College in 2019, Ellison made 36 appearances in three seasons with the Sooners. He recorded 10 tackles, including a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss, in 12 games this season.

Ellison became the second defensive tackle to depart OU's program. Redshirt junior Jalen Redmond accepted an invite on Dec. 1 to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl as he prepares for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Jackson Sumlin

Redshirt sophomore tight end Jackson Sumlin entered the transfer portal on Dec. 8. He then committed to Florida Atlantic on Jan. 27.

Sumlin joined the Sooners as a walk-on in 2020. He’s the son of former OU co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin, who went on to be the head coach of Houston, Texas A&M and Arizona.

After redshirting his first year, Jackson made four catches for 25 yards in 11 appearances last season. He maintained a scout team role this season and did not appear in any of OU’s games.

Kevonte Henry

Freshman defensive lineman Kevonte Henry entered the transfer portal on Dec. 8.

A former four-star recruit, Henry originally committed to Michigan before flipping to OU in February. He didn't appear in a game for the Sooners this season.

David Ugwoegbu

The linebacker, who has started 22 career games including all 13 this season, announced his decision to enter the portal Jan. 9.

Ugwoegbu was fourth in the Big 12 with 110 tackles this season and added two sacks.

Ugwoegbu announced Jan. 24 that he would transfer to Houston, where he will play defensive end.

Marcus Alexander

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Marcus Alexander entered the transfer portal on Jan. 17.

A former four-star prospect, Alexander chose OU in 2019 over programs such as Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. The right guard appeared in one game in four seasons with the Sooners.

Micah Bowens

Bowens reportedly entered the transfer portal on Jan. 24. He then transferred to Charlotte on May 22.

The quarterback transferred from Penn State after redshirting there without playing in 2020, then did not appear in a game for the Sooners in each of the past two seasons.

Kori Roberson

Redshirt senior Kori Roberson entered the transfer portal on April 16. He then flipped his commitment from Arizona State to SMU on May 25.

The defensive lineman spent four seasons at OU. He appeared in 26 games and recorded 29 tackles (seven for loss) during that time.

Roberson didn't appear in any games for the Sooners this past season.

Jaden Davis

OU suffered a considerable loss on April 17 when fifth-year senior Jaden Davis entered the transfer portal. He then committed to Miami on May 1.

The veteran defensive back had a prominent role with the Sooners, making 22 starts in four seasons. He racked up 103 tackles (one for loss) and an interception during that time.

Davis entered the portal with hopes of playing a different position on his new team, according to Brent Venables. The OU head coach said on April 20 that Davis wanted to play nickel rather than cornerback.

Jamarrien Burt

Redshirt freshman defensive back Jamarrien Burt entered the transfer portal on April 27.

A former four-star prospect, Burt originally committed to Florida in June 2021 before flipping to OU in February 2022. He appeared in three games this past season, primarily on special teams.

Damond Harmon

OU's secondary lost some depth on April 28 when Damond Harmon entered the transfer portal. He then committed to North Carolina A&T on May 21.

The junior safety was set to begin his third season with the Sooners. He appeared in 18 games and recorded 18 tackles throughout his first two campaigns.

A former four-star prospect, Harmon originally chose OU in 2020 over Georgia, Penn State, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Cullen Montgomery

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Cullen Montgomery entered the transfer portal on April 30, which marked the final day for players to do so.

Rated by ESPN as a four-star prospect in the Class of 2021, Montgomery redshirted his first season with OU and didn't appear in any games this past season.

Montgomery originally chose OU over powerhouse programs such as Alabama and Georgia.

Derrick LeBlanc

Freshman defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc entered the transfer portal on June 12.

ESPN rated LeBlanc as a four-star prospect and the 10th-best defensive tackle in the Class of 2023. LeBlanc chose OU over programs such as Florida, Penn State and Alabama.

LeBlanc's lone appearance in an OU uniform came during the team's annual Red-White spring game on April 22. He recorded one tackle.

Aaryn Parks

After playing in just five games in three seasons with the Sooners — all coming last season — Parks entered the portal June 28.

The Seat Pleasant, Md., product was a consensus four-star prospect coming out of high school, with offers that included Alabama, Florida and Penn State in addition to the Sooners.

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Players who joined OU via the transfer portal

Jacob Lacey

OU secured a commitment from Notre Dame transfer Jacob Lacey on Nov. 24.

The senior defensive tackle appeared in four games for the Fighting Irish this season. He recorded five tackles and two sacks, all of which came in a Week 3 win over Cal.

Lacey should provide some much-needed depth for OU at defensive tackle. Redmond accepted an invitation on Dec. 1 to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl as he prepares for the upcoming NFL Draft, while Ellison entered the transfer portal on Dec. 7.

Austin Stogner

Senior tight end Austin Stogner announced his return to OU on Dec. 8 after a one-year stint at South Carolina.

Stogner committed to OU as a four-star recruit in 2018. His best season came in 2020 when he made 26 catches for 422 yards and three touchdowns in just eight games.

But after seeing his role decline in 2021, Stogner entered the transfer portal and followed former OU quarterback Spencer Rattler to South Carolina. The move didn't provide much of a role change for the veteran tight end, who made 20 catches for 210 yards and one touchdown in 10 games this season.

Stogner rejoins an OU team that's in need of bodies at tight end.

Fifth-year senior Brayden Willis is set to graduate this offseason, while senior Daniel Parker got suspended indefinitely in November. An emergency protective order was granted against Parker due to an incident involving a live-in girlfriend.

Dasan McCullough

The Sooners added Indiana linebacker Dasan McCullough on Dec. 12.

McCullough headlined Indiana's 2022 class. The former four-star linebacker was ranked by ESPN as the 43rd-best prospect in the nation, and he didn't disappoint in his freshman season.

McCullough racked up 48 tackles (6.5 tackles for loss) and four sacks this season with the Hoosiers. The strong campaign earned him an All-Big Ten honorable mention.

The Sooners are in need of help at the linebacker position, which struggled this season due to its lack of depth.

Reggie Pearson Jr.

OU bolstered its secondary on Dec. 22 with the addition of Texas Tech safety Reggie Pearson Jr.

The senior played a key role in the Red Raiders' defense this season. He recorded 55 tackles, two interceptions and four broken-up passes.

A former three-star recruit from Detroit, Pearson spent his first three seasons at Wisconsin. He sat out the 2020 campaign due to an unspecified medical condition before transferring to Texas Tech in 2021.

Pearson joins an OU safety group that's set to lose redshirt fifth-year senior Justin Broiles to graduation.

Trace Ford

OU secured an in-state commitment from OSU defensive end Trace Ford on Dec. 28.

Ford recorded 59 tackles (11.5 tackles for loss) and 8.5 sacks in three seasons with the Cowboys. He earned an All-Big 12 honorable mention as a sophomore in 2020 but missed the entire 2021 campaign due to a second torn ACL.

Ford recorded six tackles and one sack in nine games this season but got sidelined in Week 10 against Kansas due to another knee injury that was not ligament related. He joins an OU defensive line that recently got deeper with the addition of Lacey.

Luke Elzinga

OU landed Central Michigan punter Luke Elzinga on Jan. 1.

After earning an All-MAC first team selection as a redshirt freshman in 2020, Elzinga made the All-Mid-American first team last season. The redshirt sophomore boasts a career average of 42.4 yards per punt.

Elzinga's commitment comes at an ideal time for OU. The Sooners are set to lose starting punter Michael Turk to graduation this offseason.

Caleb Shaffer

The Miami (Ohio) interior lineman started 35 games on the offensive line for the Redhawks over the last four seasons, including 12 this season before entering the transfer portal before Miami's Bahamas Bowl appearance.

The 6-foot-5, 333-pounder from Carmel, Indiana will add interior depth from a line losing Chris Murray and Robert Congel. Shaffer has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Davon Sears

OU landed Texas State defensive lineman Davon Sears on Jan. 9.

Sears recorded one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss in 12 games as a redshirt sophomore this season. He spent his freshman campaign at Ellsworth Community College, where he earned All-Iowa Community College Athletic Conference honors by tallying two sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in five games.

Sears chose OU over Tennessee and Penn State. He joins a defensive line in Norman that has also brought in Lacey and Ford this offseason.

Andrel Anthony Jr.

OU added to its wide receiver depth Jan. 10 with the commitment of Michigan sophomore Andrel Anthony Jr.

A former three-star prospect, Anthony caught 12 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman in 2021. The Lansing, Michigan, native earned a share of team Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Anthony recorded seven catches for 80 yards and one touchdown this past season before entering the transfer portal on Jan. 4. He chose OU over programs such as Notre Dame, Texas A&M and South Carolina.

Anthony joins an OU passing game that'll look to fill the void left by Marvin Mims, who declared for the upcoming NFL Draft on Jan. 6.

Walter Rouse

The Stanford offensive tackle flipped from Nebraska to the Sooners on Jan. 14.

Rouse (6-foot-6, 318 pounds) has one season of eligibility remaining.

He was a four-year starter at left tackle for the Cardinal and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2022.

Blake Smith

OU bolstered its tight end depth on Jan. 16 with the addition of Texas A&M transfer Blake Smith.

After redshirting his freshman year in 2020, Smith appeared in two games the following campaign but didn’t record a reception. He made two catches for one yard this past season.

Brenen Thompson

OU pulled off a rare Red River flip on April 24 when it secured a commitment from Texas transfer Brenen Thompson.

The former four-star wide receiver appeared in nine games as a freshman last season. He hauled in one catch for 32 yards.

Thompson is a speedster and a former high school track star. He set the Texas 3A UIL state track meet record in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash dash with times of 10.24 and 20.73, respectively.

Konnor Near

OU gained a commitment from Ferris State transfer Konnor Near on May 4.

Near is a Division II All-American linebacker. He recorded 66 tackles (10.5 for loss) and three sacks in 15 games last season.

Near won two Division II national championships during his time with Ferris State, and he'll now join an OU linebacker room that lacked depth last season. He chose OU over offers from programs such as Michigan State, Cincinnati and Texas Tech.

Troy Everett

OU bolstered its offensive line on May 5 with the addition of Appalachian State transfer Troy Everett.

Everett started six games at center as a redshirt freshman this past season. He allowed just one sack in 262 pass-blocking snaps.

Everett is the third offensive lineman that OU has added this offseason. He'll provide some depth at center, where senior Andrew Raym is the team's starter.

Ashton Logan

OU added to its punting depth on May 26 by securing a commitment from Colorado transfer Ashton Logan.

Logan averaged 40.6 yards per punt on 17 attempts as a freshman last season. Chris Sailer Kicking rated Ashton as a five-star prospect and the No. 9 punter in the Class of 2021.

Da'Jon Terry

OU got deeper at defensive tackle by landing Tennessee transfer Da'Jon Terry on June 2.

Terry made nine starts in the past two seasons with the Volunteers. He recorded 16 tackles (3.5 for loss) and two sacks as a junior this past season.

Terry is familiar with the Big 12. The former three-star prospect began his career at Kansas in 2019 before transferring to Tennessee in 2021.

Players who declared for the NFL Draft

Eric Gray

Eric Gray accepted an invitation to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl on Nov. 30, and he declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 3.

Gray transferred from Tennessee to OU prior to the start of the 2021 season. After putting up modest numbers in his first campaign with the Sooners, he emerged as their biggest offensive weapon this season.

Gray racked up career-highs of 213 carries, 1,364 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. This earned the senior running back a spot on the All-Big 12 second team.

The Senior Bowl is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 in Mobile, Alabama.

Wanya Morris

Wanya Morris also accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl on Nov. 30 and declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 2.

The senior offensive lineman transferred from Tennessee to OU prior to the start of the 2021 season. He played in 15 games for the Sooners, although he missed their first two games of this season due to off-the-field issues.

Morris played right tackle for OU and brought veteran experience to the offensive line. His snaps in the Cheez-It Bowl will likely go to redshirt sophomore Tyler Guyton.

Anton Harrison

Anton Harrison declared for the upcoming NFL Draft on Nov. 30.

The junior offensive lineman joined OU in 2020 and played in 34 games, including all 12 of the team's games this season. Harrison started at left tackle this season, although he briefly lined up at right tackle during Morris' absence in non-conference play.

Harrison earned a spot on the All-Big 12 first team Wednesday. He's one of the top offensive linemen in the nation, and he projects to be in the mix for a first-round selection in the NFL Draft.

Jalen Redmond

Redshirt junior defensive tackle Jalen Redmond accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl on Dec. 1.

The former Midwest City High School standout committed to OU in 2017 as a five-star prospect. He played in 36 games for the Sooners, including all 12 of their games this season.

Redmond recorded 23 tackles (10 for loss) and four sacks this season. He boasts career totals of 71 tackles (31.5 for loss) and 14 sacks.

C.J. Coldon

OU lost one of this past season's breakout players on Jan. 4 when redshirt senior cornerback C.J. Coldon declared for the NFL Draft.

After transferring from Wyoming in January of 2022, Coldon entered Week 1 as the No. 4 player on OU's cornerback depth chart. He finished the campaign with team-highs of four interceptions and six broken-up passes to go along with 43 tackles.

Coldon's breakout helped improve an OU secondary that struggled at the start of the season but was playing some of its best football by the time the Cheez-It Bowl rolled around.

Coldon is the second OU cornerback to depart the program this offseason. Eaton entered the transfer portal on Nov. 30.

Marvin Mims

OU suffered one of its biggest losses of the offseason on Jan. 6 when junior wide receiver Marvin Mims announced his decision to declare for the NFL Draft.

Mims finishes his three-year college career with 2,398 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns on 123 receptions. He's ranked in the top 15 in program history for receiving yards (eighth), receiving touchdowns (10th) and receptions (15th).

Mims recorded career-highs of 54 receptions and 1,083 receiving yards to go along with six touchdowns this season.

Mims becomes the fourth OU wide receiver to depart the program this offseason. Wease, Darby and Woolen entered the transfer portal.

This article will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football offseason player tracker: Transfer portal, 2023 NFL Draft