The University of Oklahoma football program has bolstered its roster depth by securing four graduate transfers through NCAA restraining orders, a move designed to add experience and versatility as the Sooners head into a long and physically demanding season.
A Strategic Boost for the Sooners
General manager Jim Nagy oversaw the recruitment, selecting players who not only performed well in their previous seasons but also matched the cultural expectations of the program, a process scrutinized by NFL scouts during the 2023 campaign.
Danny Saili, the former Arkansas defensive tackle, contributed 14 tackles over his final two years at Arkansas, while Braxton Fely, a Boise State product, amassed 67 tackles and 14 sacks in his four‑year tenure. D’Yoni Hill, a Wisconsin cornerback who started nine games in 2025, logged 39 tackles, and Jaydon Southard, the Stephen F. Austin linebacker, recorded 114 tackles in his previous season, each bringing a distinct skill set to the Sooners’ defensive and special‑teams units.
The NCAA’s July decision to grant a fifth year of eligibility to 2022 class athletes opened the door for these transfers to pursue eligibility through temporary restraining orders filed in Cleveland County Court, allowing them to join the Sooners without sacrificing another player.
Nagy emphasized that the coaching staff deliberately left roster spots open to accommodate the newcomers, avoiding any cuts and preserving team chemistry, while quarterback John Mateer voiced his confidence in the front office, stating that only players who fit the existing system were targeted.
The Sooners plan to integrate the four athletes gradually, beginning with a seven‑day acclimation period before they are fully available for competition, a strategy aimed at ensuring they contribute meaningfully as the season progresses.