Oklahoma, OSU Revamp Defenses With Key Transfers

Oklahoma State has strengthened its football roster by acquiring North Carolina cornerback DeAndre Boykins, who missed 2023 due to injury but brings notable playmaking ability, and Western Kentucky linebacker Darius Thomas to offset key defensive losses. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Sooners added Utah State defensive tackle Siolaa 'Ricky' Lolohea, who previously redshirted at Oklahoma State and played under OU’s new inside linebackers coach Nate Dreiling at Utah State. Lolohea is expected to provide depth to the Sooners’ defensive line and may offer future recruiting advantages. Both Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are aggressively using the transfer portal to rebuild their defenses after disappointing seasons. The programs aim for significant improvement in the 2025 campaign by addressing critical roster gaps. These moves reflect a broader strategic shift towards strengthening defensive performance.