Oklahoma Sooners Linebacker Rebuilding Underway: Portal Moves, Recruiting Battles, and Strategic Evolution for SEC Success

As Oklahoma prepares for its monumental transition into the SEC in 2026, the program is undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of its linebacker corps—an essential step to competing at the conference’s highest level. Recent developments in transfer portal activity, schematic adjustments, coaching changes, and recruiting battles underscore the Sooners’ aggressive push to build a versatile, experienced, and leadership-driven linebacker unit capable of thriving against SEC powerhouses.

Addressing Leadership and Performance Gaps Post-McKinzie

The departure of key veteran Kobie McKinzie left a significant void in Oklahoma’s defense:

• Leadership Void: McKinzie’s commanding presence and football IQ made him a natural leader on and off the field. His exit has resulted in diminished communication and accountability—an area of concern as the Sooners gear up for tougher SEC offenses.
• Interior Run Support & Scheme Stability: Opponents have exploited interior gaps more effectively, exposing deficiencies in run support and scheme discipline—highlighted by recent struggles against physical rushing attacks.
• Coverage Challenges: Defending tight ends, backs, and slot receivers has been problematic, leading to mismatches and big plays—especially against spread offenses prevalent in the SEC.

In response, Oklahoma is shifting from a primarily developmental stance to immediate-impact recruitment strategies, prioritizing experienced linebackers with proven leadership and scheme versatility. This approach aims to foster a culture of toughness, accountability, and adaptability—traits vital for SEC success.

Strategic Transfer Portal Engagement: Targeted, Experienced, and Versatile

OU’s portal strategy is sharply focused on acquiring players with Power Five experience, leadership qualities, and scheme flexibility. The coaching staff evaluates prospects based on:

• Proven production at SEC or Big Ten programs
• Speed, agility, and sideline-to-sideline pursuit
• Demonstrated mental toughness and leadership skills
• Positional versatility supporting multiple defensive fronts

This disciplined approach echoes models like Indiana, emphasizing scheme adaptability and leadership development to excel in the SEC.

Recent Portal Additions: Building an Immediate and Future Foundation

Oklahoma has secured several high-impact linebackers and hybrid defenders, aiming for both short-term stability and long-term growth:

• Bishop Thomas (Georgia State): An interior linebacker with SEC-level run defense skills and pass-rushing ability, Thomas enhances interior stability and pass rush versatility—key for SEC competition.
• Kip Lewis: Returning as a redshirt senior, Lewis provides veteran leadership, continuity, and mentorship for younger players, anchoring the linebacker room.
• Parker Livingstone: A hybrid linebacker/edge rusher, Livingstone adds scheme flexibility and depth, capable of adapting to multiple fronts.
• Prince Ijoma (Mississippi Valley State): A multi-role player, Ijoma provides depth across different positions, supporting scheme versatility.
• Taven Epps: Known for coverage skills and special teams contributions, Epps broadens OU’s defensive flexibility and special teams depth.

Impact and Expectations

• Bishop Thomas: Interior run-stopper and pass rusher with SEC-ready athleticism.
• Kip Lewis: Veteran leader, mentoring emerging talent.
• Taven Epps & Prince Ijoma: Coverage versatility and positional depth.
• Parker Livingstone: Hybrid role enhances scheme adaptability and leadership.

These additions reflect Oklahoma’s dual focus: immediate impact players to stabilize the defense and developing future leaders who can thrive in the SEC.

Organizational and Schematic Reforms: Building a Modern, Multiple-Front Defense

Recent staff and structural changes reinforce OU’s strategic shift toward a more modern, flexible defensive scheme:

• Departure of Jerry Schmidt: Once a legendary strength coach, his exit initially raised questions but has opened avenues for innovative training methods aligned with national ambitions.
• New hires and initiatives:
  • LaMar Morgan: Named as the new defensive backs coach, bringing fresh ideas crucial for secondary development, which complements linebacker versatility.
  • Molly Jacobson: Appointed director of recruiting, tasked with strengthening talent pipelines and streamlining transfer efforts.
• NFL coaching shifts: The departure of Jay Valai to the Buffalo Bills and other NFL movements highlight the importance of coaching stability to maintain scheme integrity.

Schematic Focus: Multiple Fronts and Versatility

Inspired by programs like Indiana, Oklahoma emphasizes multiple front schemes characterized by:

• Gap discipline to prevent explosive plays
• Deployment of varied defensive alignments to create offensive uncertainty
• Developing linebacker versatility—quick shedding of blocks, rapid diagnosis, and sideline-to-sideline pursuit
• Enhanced coverage flexibility against tight ends and backs

This strategic evolution aims to produce a disciplined, athletic, and resilient defense capable of managing SEC offenses’ complexities.

Recruiting Landscape and Competition: The Fight for Top Linebackers

Beyond portal activity, Oklahoma remains committed to high school recruiting, targeting top prospects like Cooper Witten, a highly regarded 2027 linebacker considered one of the nation’s best talents. Securing Witten would provide a foundational piece to complement transfer additions and accelerate team chemistry.

However, Oklahoma faces stiff competition:

• Ole Miss and other SEC programs are actively recruiting top-tier linebackers. Notably, Ole Miss recently made a sizable move for Georgia Bulldogs standout Bishop McNamara’s edge rusher, signaling their aggressive approach in the linebacker and defensive front markets.
• Spring visits and recruiting battles are intensifying, with prospects like Michael Griffin from Charlotte West Charlotte making multiple visits to OU, Michigan, Virginia Tech, and others. Griffin’s extensive trip schedule underscores the fierce competition and the importance of OU’s recruiting presence to secure future leaders.

Key Recruiting Targets

• Michael Griffin: A rising linebacker with multiple spring visits, indicating strong interest from OU, Michigan, and Virginia Tech.
• Cooper Witten: A top-tier 2027 linebacker whose commitment could significantly strengthen OU’s long-term linebacker pipeline.

Current Status and Outlook

Oklahoma’s linebacker rebuild is progressing on multiple fronts:

• Transfer portal: Has yielded experienced, scheme-flexible defenders like Bishop Thomas, Kip Lewis, and others, laying an immediate foundation.
• Coaching and organizational reforms: New staff hires, schematic shifts to multiple fronts, and leadership development efforts are aligning to create a modern, adaptable defense.
• Recruiting efforts: Continue to prioritize high school prospects and top transfer targets to sustain a pipeline of versatile, high-character linebackers—especially as rival programs like Ole Miss actively poach and recruit top talents.

Notably, Oklahoma recently named Isaiah Sategna as one of its most important returnees. ESPN highlighted Sategna’s leadership and explosiveness, emphasizing his potential to influence team chemistry and defensive continuity as a key figure in the upcoming season. His development and leadership could be pivotal in guiding the younger players and shaping the team’s defensive identity.

Implications: These strategic moves demonstrate Oklahoma’s unwavering commitment to developing a linebacker corps that embodies leadership, athleticism, and scheme versatility, critical for SEC dominance. The integration of portal additions, recruiting pursuits, and schematic innovation positions the Sooners to field a resilient, adaptable defense capable of meeting the league’s challenges.

As the 2026 season approaches, the program’s focus on linebacker excellence will be a key metric of success, determining whether Oklahoma can rapidly ascend to SEC contention and national prominence. The ongoing strategic, organizational, and recruiting efforts underscore the belief that a robust, versatile linebacker unit is foundational to achieving those ambitions.