Oklahoma Sooners’ big move in the transfer portal started a chain reaction bad move from someone who was already on the team

Oklahoma Sooners’ Big Transfer Portal Addition Triggers Unexpected Fallout Within the Team

NORMAN, Okla. — April 18, 2025 — The Oklahoma Sooners made headlines this week with a high-profile acquisition from the NCAA transfer portal, but the move has already caused ripples within the program—prompting a surprising departure from one of its own.

Earlier this week, the Sooners landed former five-star recruit and standout wide receiver Malik Townsend from the University of Georgia. Townsend, a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining, was one of the most sought-after names in the portal after putting up 742 receiving yards and six touchdowns in limited action last season. Oklahoma, looking to add firepower to its offense under head coach Brent Venables, beat out programs like Texas, Alabama, and USC for his commitment.

Townsend’s addition was immediately celebrated by fans and media alike, with many calling him a potential game-changer for an Oklahoma offense looking to bounce back after an up-and-down 2024 campaign. However, within 48 hours of the announcement, current Sooners wide receiver Jayden Gibson—once considered a rising star within the program—entered the transfer portal himself, citing frustration over what he described as “a lack of clarity” in his role moving forward.

Gibson, a redshirt sophomore who had 527 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season, was expected to be a central piece in Oklahoma’s offense this fall. However, according to sources close to the program, Gibson was blindsided by Townsend’s arrival and received little communication from the coaching staff regarding how the pecking order would shift.

“It felt like they were moving on without even telling me,” Gibson reportedly told teammates. “If I’m not going to be the guy here, I’ll go be the guy somewhere else.”

The situation underscores a growing challenge in the transfer portal era, where the rush to upgrade rosters can lead to unintended consequences—particularly in skill position groups with limited opportunities for touches. For Oklahoma, the departure of a homegrown talent like Gibson raises questions about locker room dynamics and the balance between recruiting new talent and developing existing players.

Coach Venables addressed the situation Thursday, stating, “We’re always going to do what’s best for this program. We value every player here, but competition is part of what makes Oklahoma great. We wish Jayden nothing but the best.”

Still, some around the program believe better communication could have prevented Gibson’s decision.

“It’s a delicate balance,” said an anonymous assistant coach. “You want to bring in elite talent, but you also have to manage the emotions and egos of guys who’ve been grinding here for years.”

With Gibson now in the portal and likely to receive significant interest from other Power Five schools, Oklahoma must hope that Townsend delivers on the lofty expectations. Otherwise, the Sooners risk not only losing a proven contributor but also setting a precedent that could concern current and future players.

In the new era of college football, every gain carries the risk of unexpected loss—and Oklahoma may have just learned that the hard way.