Latest news with #JakeMaikkula


USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners add transfer portal wide receiver
Oklahoma Sooners add transfer portal wide receiver The Oklahoma Sooners have been active in the spring transfer portal window, landing former Stanford offensive lineman Jake Maikkula and former Cal running back Jaydn Ott. But they weren't done there, earning a commitment from former McNeese State wide receiver Jer'Michael Carter. Out of Kentwood, Lousiana, Carter is 6-foot-4 and 192 pounds. He plays big and doesn't shy away from contact. Carter displays good hands and can win at every level of the passing game. Carter led McNeese State with 37 receptions for 537 yards. He accounted for 22% of the passing yardage last season. No other player had more than one touchdown catch. Last season, he had just three drops on 61 targets, and 25 of his 37 receptions went for first downs. When targeted, McNeese State quarterbacks had a passer rating of 94.2. The Sooners needed to add another wide receiver with some collegiate experience due to the injury to Javonnie Gibson in spring ball and Jayden Gibson's setback just before spring ball began. Both players are expected to be back for fall camp, but Oklahoma was in need of some more size and experience on the outside. Carter will compete for snaps on the outside this summer and fall with Zion Kearney, Ivan Carreon, Elijah Thomas, and Keontez Lewis. Oklahoma's offense was limited in 2024 due in large part to injuries at the wide receiver position. This offseason, the Sooners have added competitive depth through the transfer portal so they don't run into that same situation again. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.


USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners offer transfer portal wide receiver out of Louisiana
Oklahoma Sooners offer transfer portal wide receiver out of Louisiana The Oklahoma Sooners haven't been shy about their desire to improve the roster in the spring transfer portal window. They've added offensive lineman Jake Maikkula, running back Jaydn Ott, and on Tuesday evening, earned a commitment from defensive tackle Siolaa Ricky Lolohea. But one position of need that they haven't been able to address yet is wide receiver. The Sooners have been connected to several players but haven't been able to earn a commitment to address the position. Late on Tuesday evening the Sooners issued an offer to McNeese State transfer wide receiver Jer'Michael Carter. Carter was an unranked prospect coming out of high school and played two seasons at McNeese State. In 2024, he led the Cowboys with 37 receptions for 537 yards and three touchdowns. Carter accounted for 22% of the passing yardage a season ago. Out of Kentwood, Louisiana, Carter has the size and production to make the jump to the SEC. He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 192 pounds. He entered the portal on April 21 and is already garnering attention from programs across the country. According to Carter's X account, he's received interest from Utah, Colorado State, Vanderbilt, Baylor, UConn, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. Given the interest already, you can expect his list of offers to continue to grow. Carter could be the answer to the Sooners injury issues on the outside. Jayden Gibson suffered a setback from his ACL recovery early in spring ball. Incoming transfer Javonnie Gibson then suffered an injury that will keep him out until close to the start of the season. The Sooners have Keontez Lewis, Zion Kearney, Ivan Carreon, Elijah Thomas, and Emmanuel Choice as options on the outside but if they're looking for some collegiate production to solidify the group, Carter could be the answer. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.


USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners Spring Transfer Portal Tracker
Oklahoma Sooners Spring Transfer Portal Tracker The spring transfer portal window is officially open as of April 16, 2025. The window for players to enter the transfer portal runs through April 25. Even before the portal window opened, the Sooners made a couple of splashes, adding running back Jaydn Ott and offensive lineman Jake Maikkula. Ott upgrades the Sooners' running back room, while Maikkula provides competition for starting center Troy Everett and gives OU some much-needed depth along the interior of the offensive line. Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy and head coach Brent Venables mentioned over the last week that the Sooners plan to be aggressive in the transfer portal to upgrade their starting units and add significant depth pieces. And before the portal even opened, they did just that. With needs at tight end, wide receiver, and cornerback, Oklahoma will be a player in the spring transfer portal window as they work to create a roster that can push them to the upper echelon of the SEC. We'll keep track of the Sooners' departures and additions in our Spring Transfer Portal Tracker. Departure: Davon Mitchell, TE Davon Mitchell was one of the more significant recruiting wins of the last few years. A former five-star prospect in 2025 who reclassified to the 2024 signing class struggled to get on the field in his one year in Norman. He's a talented player who has all the tools to be a difference-maker at the collegiate level. More: Oklahoma Sooners tight end outlook after Davon Mitchell's exit Departure: Mykel Patterson-McDonald, DB Mykel Patterson-McDonald was a four-star prospect out of Westmoore in Oklahoma. Patterson-McDonald plays big for his size but Oklahoma's safety room might be the deepest on the roster. He has the talent to be a playmaker in the secondary. More: Oklahoma DB Mykel Patterson-McDonald to enter transfer portal Departure: Sam Franklin, RB After a big year at FCS Tennessee-Martin, Sam Franklin joined the Sooners to help stabilize a running back room that was dealing with injuries a year ago. He didn't get many opportunities to carry the football, but was a significant piece in the return game. More: Oklahoma Sooners RB Sam Franklin entering the transfer portal Addition: Jake Maikkula, OL The Oklahoma Sooners added an experienced interior offensive lineman in Jake Maikkula, a player that provides competitive depth at center and guard but could also push for a starting role with the Sooners offense. He'll start off as the backup to Troy Everett and has two years of eligibility remaining. More: Oklahoma Sooners earn commitment from transfer offensive lineman Jake Maikkula Addition: Jaydn Ott, RB What John Mateer was for the Sooners at quarterback, Jaydn Ott is at running back. He's a dynamic player who immediately improves the Sooners' offense. Ott totaled 3,333 yards from scrimmage and 30 touchdowns in three seasons at Cal. More: Oklahoma Sooners add No. 1 transfer portal running back Jaydn Ott Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.


USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners earn commitment from transfer offensive lineman Jake Maikkula
Oklahoma Sooners earn commitment from transfer offensive lineman Jake Maikkula The Oklahoma Sooners picked up their first commitment of the spring transfer portal window, earning a pledge from former Stanford offensive lineman Jake Maikkula. Maikkula joins the Sooners with two years of eligibility remaining. He's started 20 games over the last two seasons with the Stanford Cardinal, contributing at guard and center. The Sooners get some much-needed experience for their interior offensive line. Maikkula entered the transfer portal after Stanford fired head coach Troy Taylor at the end of March. Maikkula started 11 games for the Cardinal at both left guard and center in 2024, playing 764 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. It's that kind of versatility the Oklahoma Sooners could use on the interior in 2025. Troy Everett is projected to start for the Sooners at center, but Oklahoma didn't have much experience behind Everett in second-year center Josh Aisosa or true freshman Owen Hollenbeck. We saw in 2024 how much of an issue a lack of offensive line depth could be. Maikkula also has the opportunity to push Everett or guards Eddy Pierre-Louis and Febechi Nwaiwu for opportunities with the first team offensive line. But even if Maikkula doesn't start this season, he'll have a great opportunity to start for the Sooners in 2026. The Sooners offensive line group just got better with the addition of Maikkula. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.