Transfer Portal 2025

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April 16, 2025 | Portal Moves & Message Board Mayhem


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The Sooners have notched a few wins in the 2025 transfer portal, but fans are laser-focused on the bigger picture — and what they still haven’t landed.

A consistent point of frustration? The perceived talent gap between OU’s additions and the players headed elsewhere — particularly to well-funded programs like Arkansas.

🚨 ESPN Transfer Rankings (OU commits):

  • #25 Xzayvier Brown
  • #43 Nijel Pack
  • #54 Tae Davis
Fans largely agree the rankings are too low for Brown and Pack, and comparisons to players ranked ahead of them (like Rob Wright and Dedan Thomas) have raised eyebrows.

Meanwhile, the cold reality of NIL-powered recruiting is sinking in:

“Arkansas had the donor check clear. They’ve gotten some top transfers this week.” – jdizzle34
Even as fans celebrate Brown and Pack, there’s clear unease around the pace of negotiations, with deals dragging on and no guarantees — even for “locks.”

“Negotiations for some of these guys are taking longer than trying to end a war between nations.” – 61sooner

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The conversation isn’t just about who OU got — it’s who they didn’t. Posters are openly wondering if the Sooners are outgunned financially and if missed connections will leave the roster exposed at key positions.

There’s specific concern about frontcourt depth, and whether additional portal pieces are coming — or if the Sooners are rolling the dice with current personnel.

“We just need an insurance policy at the 5.” – pnkranger
“If a ball is contested coming off the rim… the first guy to get off the floor a second time is going to get possession.” – WichitaSooner, highlighting need for a second-jump rebounder
Some are holding out hope that late-stage portal entries (like St. John’s Khaman Maker) could still shake things up, but trust in the staff to close key deals remains uneven.


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Despite the gripes, a notable tone shift is emerging: cautious optimism. Fans are noticing better portal activity, more competitive NIL offers, and the long-awaited signs of a program getting serious.

“Basketball has definitely upped their game with NIL this offseason. Are we seeing things get back close to ‘on track’ in real time?” – cbertus6
“Things seem to be trending in the right direction. Could it be, we finally have our act together?” – mict085
The phrase “Nagy effect” has popped up more frequently — a nod to the revamped staff’s energy and organization. There's buzz that this cycle might reflect a turning point, especially if momentum continues into May.


💬 Quick Hits from the Board​

🧠 “He’s thinner and lighter on his feet… maybe he can contribute in short doses this year.”daqman, on an under-the-radar big with upside
📱 “OU football swinging their weight around in the portal right now.”cbertus6, comparing departments' portal success
🌮 “If he averages over 18 ppg, I’ll shove a burrito where the sun don’t shine.”NorthCarolinaSooner, unofficially setting the stakes for the season


📬 That’s it for today’s Transfer Tracker!
Portal season’s still cooking — and with players like Dom Campbell looking to play both football and hoops, we may only be scratching the surface.
 
Wow!! Blast from the past! A Seinfeld reference in '25.

I still use "Airing of Grievances" and "Feats of Strength" from time to time.
 

🏀

April 16, 2025 | Portal Moves & Message Board Mayhem


🔁

The Sooners have notched a few wins in the 2025 transfer portal, but fans are laser-focused on the bigger picture — and what they still haven’t landed.

A consistent point of frustration? The perceived talent gap between OU’s additions and the players headed elsewhere — particularly to well-funded programs like Arkansas.

🚨 ESPN Transfer Rankings (OU commits):

  • #25 Xzayvier Brown
  • #43 Nijel Pack
  • #54 Tae Davis
Fans largely agree the rankings are too low for Brown and Pack, and comparisons to players ranked ahead of them (like Rob Wright and Dedan Thomas) have raised eyebrows.

Meanwhile, the cold reality of NIL-powered recruiting is sinking in:


Even as fans celebrate Brown and Pack, there’s clear unease around the pace of negotiations, with deals dragging on and no guarantees — even for “locks.”



📉

The conversation isn’t just about who OU got — it’s who they didn’t. Posters are openly wondering if the Sooners are outgunned financially and if missed connections will leave the roster exposed at key positions.

There’s specific concern about frontcourt depth, and whether additional portal pieces are coming — or if the Sooners are rolling the dice with current personnel.



Some are holding out hope that late-stage portal entries (like St. John’s Khaman Maker) could still shake things up, but trust in the staff to close key deals remains uneven.


📈

Despite the gripes, a notable tone shift is emerging: cautious optimism. Fans are noticing better portal activity, more competitive NIL offers, and the long-awaited signs of a program getting serious.



The phrase “Nagy effect” has popped up more frequently — a nod to the revamped staff’s energy and organization. There's buzz that this cycle might reflect a turning point, especially if momentum continues into May.


💬 Quick Hits from the Board​

🧠 “He’s thinner and lighter on his feet… maybe he can contribute in short doses this year.”daqman, on an under-the-radar big with upside
📱 “OU football swinging their weight around in the portal right now.”cbertus6, comparing departments' portal success
🌮 “If he averages over 18 ppg, I’ll shove a burrito where the sun don’t shine.”NorthCarolinaSooner, unofficially setting the stakes for the season


📬 That’s it for today’s Transfer Tracker!
Portal season’s still cooking — and with players like Dom Campbell looking to play both football and hoops, we may only be scratching the surface.
Board digest? Lol
 
IMO, this is one of the biggest problems with PM's offense the first 4 years, which Jeremiah helped and offset with his great first step and PNR ability.

Moser's 5 out or 4:1 offense is designed to spread the floor and create downhill lanes. But it MUST have guys that are threats outside. We haven't had those 2 guys, or even one guy, on the floor at all times that the defense has to respect which opens up the lane. As a result, defenses don't respect the outside game and can pack it in or play the drive, causing or lack of size to be more of an issue.

This issue was easy to see by looking at Jalon's first half of the year or league play compared to the end of the year. He was challenged much more on his drives the last half of the conference and it showed in the stats. Same way with Duke Miles getting to the rim. He was shut down. Goodine wasn't as hot as he was early. Yeah, we had those few games where we got hot, but as a rule, teams didn't respect our ability to do big damage from deep.

Even worse in previous years when Tanner and/or Jacob Groves were some of the "best" outside threats. We've had some streak shooters, but no consistency.

Look forward to seeing what good guard play can do for the team. Not just one good guard.


I hate PMs offense....and I'm not trying to really argue here because I don't completely disagree here...but we shot 36.5% from 3 as a TEAM this year...that is really good for a team overall. Fears actually brought DOWN that % because he shot like 28% from 3.
 
To me, Reid is a guy you bring in on potential. Big, quick, athletic, good hands, but just doesn't really have the impact in the game that he should based on tools. If he can put it together, he would be a huge win, but Davis is the starter at the 4.
 
Answering my own question, espn has his rated 38 and says he did have some injuries but also just ended up behind more experienced players in their front court.

The Athletic has him 33 and also mentions injuries. Said his shooting needs work but form looks good, and mentioned that he graded out as one of their best defensive players. Described him as not being explosive but a good enough athlete for his size.
 
I hate PMs offense....and I'm not trying to really argue here because I don't completely disagree here...but we shot 36.5% from 3 as a TEAM this year...that is really good for a team overall. Fears actually brought DOWN that % because he shot like 28% from 3.
Would love it if PM hung his hat on defense and experimented with offensive systems built to his players.
 
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