Why Oklahoma could look to raid Texas A&M through the transfer portal

As transfer portal season begins, Oklahoma could find itself targeting quite a few former Texas A&M players. The Sooners are looking to bulk up on the defensive line ahead of their move to the SEC, and a couple of key Aggies defenders have already announced their intention to switch schools.

Defensive linemen Walter Nolen and LT Overton revealed that they will enter the transfer portal with defensive line coach Elijah Robinson leaving for Syracuse. Both players were five-star recruits whom Oklahoma offered out of high school before they committed to A&M.

George Stoia III of SoonerScoop joined On3‘s Andy Staples on Tuesday to discuss why OU could be a potential landing spot for either, as well as any additional portal entries for the Aggies.

“I think you need to look at Texas A&M,” he said. “Obviously, they’re losing their defensive line coach Elijah Robinson. He’s going to Syracuse to be their defensive coordinator. There’s a lot of guys on that Texas A&M defensive line that Oklahoma finished second in their recruitment. If some of those guys enter the portal — I know there’s already been a couple out there — I think Oklahoma’s gonna be really involved there.”

Nolen ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was one of the key pieces on A&M’s defensive line this past season with 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Overton appeared in 23 games for the Aggies over the past three seasons, recording 48 total tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack.

Of course, Oklahoma won’t limit itself to just former Texas A&M players as it attacks the transfer portal. Stoia mentioned the Sooners could also be a player for former Florida defensive lineman Chris McClellan. There’s a local connection there as McClellan played high school football in Oklahoma at Owasso.

Stoia also added that he expects OU to make a push for Harvard defensive lineman Thor Griffith, who ranks as the No. 2 defensive lineman in On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings.

“I think you also look at Chris McClellan going in from Florida,” Stoia said. “He’s a local kid. Played at Owasso High School in Tulsa. Someone that Oklahoma recruited a couple of years ago. I wouldn’t be shocked if that’s a name to watch.

“Then across the country there’s several guys whether it’s at Michigan State. I know they have several guys that Oklahoma started to follow and maybe connect with. Thor Griffith, the defensive lineman from Harvard, he is somebody that I know Oklahoma has reached out to. I wouldn’t be shocked if he visits OU.

Although the Sooners will certainly target other players in the portal, Stoia believes the defensive line is where their main focus is at for now. OU found great success adding players up front this past season to go from 106th to 61st in run defense in a one-year span.

Still, there’s room to improve as they prepare to enter a physical league in the SEC.

“I think they’ve got their eyes set on several defensive linemen and I think they’re also kind of waiting to see if any more guys enter,” Stoia said. “We all know that with the bowl games and the Playoffs, sometimes guys don’t enter until a little bit later. So I think Oklahoma’s being patient. They’re definitely gonna look at the defensive line. That’s what they did last year.

They brought in Da’Jon Terry from Tennessee, Jacob Lacey from Notre Dame. Two guys that could technically come back next year and I think they’re recruiting them to come back. You’ve got a list of guys they were able to get last year up front and I think they’re trying to go big again.”