Oklahoma’s latest transfer portal pickup is slap in the face to rival

Brent Venables grabbed another big pickup in the transfer portal as Oklahoma looks to turn the page from 2024’s dud of a season. And he didn’t have to go far to get his latest pickup. And while they aren’t having annual meetings on the field, the Sooners are still trying to get a leg up in the Bedlam Rivalry. 

Venables and the Sooners picked up former Oklahoma State linebacker Kendal Daniels earlier this week, bolstering a need for their defense. It was the latest pickup for Oklahoma which has been extremely active in the portal. 

It’s arguably their biggest addition next to Washington State quarterback transfer John Mateer. And the good thing about Daniels is he can be a swiss army knife for the defense. While listed as a linebacker, he can play in coverage and further off the line as a safety too. 

Venables latest portal win doesn’t just rub it in Oklahoma State’s face, but gets them ready for better SEC showing

Daniels was a cornerstone for the Oklahoma State defense during his three seasons there. While his 2024 campaign wasn’t quite like his 2023 season, his addition should be big for the Sooners. 

This past season, Daniels finished with 64 total tackles and a career-high 5.5 sacks. His best season yet in 2023, he finished with 105 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and two interceptions. 

At Oklahoma State he played both linebacker and safety so look for Venables and the defensive to utilize him all over the field. That’s what makes this pickup so good. It not only addresses a positional need. Venables also gets a versatile player. 

And getting him from Oklahoma State makes it that much better. When Oklahoma departed the Big 12 for the SEC, it halted the Bedlam Rivalry for the time being. There’s no telling when the rivalry will be renewed as a non-conference game. 

But Oklahoma dominated the series with a 91-20-7 record in 118 meetings between the teams. Oklahoma State may be able to say they won the last game between the two teams. But Oklahoma is still getting the last laugh, plucking players right off their roster.