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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners pitcher transferring to LSU Tigers
Former Oklahoma Sooner softball pitcher Peytn Monticelli announced she was committing to the LSU Tigers on Monday. Monticelli arrived in Norman following the 2023 season and spent two years with the Sooners, helping Oklahoma win its fourth-straight title in 2024. Monticelli appeared in 34 games over two seasons and held a 2-0 record in her time with Oklahoma. After posting a 1.09 ERA across 19.1 innings in 2024, the former Wisconsin Badger had a down year in 2025. She had a 3.94 ERA in 21.1 innings this season and threw just one inning in the NCAA Tournament. She'll join an LSU Tigers squad that lost pitcher Sydney Berzon to Oklahoma via the transfer portal. In addition to Berzon, the Oklahoma Sooners will also welcome the No. 1 pitcher in the 2025 recruiting class, Alyssa Parker, as well as the No. 5 pitcher in the cycle, Berkley Zache. Senior Kierston Deal and sophomore Audrey Lowry will be back for 2026 as will redshirt freshman Sophia Bordi, who took some time away from the team toward the end of the season, but will be back with the team this fall. Monticelli joins an LSU squad that finished ninth in the SEC in 2025. She provides the Tigers with a veteran arm out of the bullpen and brings heat to the circle. She released a statement on social media thanking Sooner Nation for the memories. Monticelli said, "Thank you, Sooner Nation, for supporting me these past two years. This was not an easy decision to make. I have loved everything about being a Sooner and am so grateful for every single person I have met along my journey with this program. Norman will always be a special place to me." 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
04-06-2025
- General
- USA Today
Oklahoma OF Maya Bland enters the transfer portal
Oklahoma OF Maya Bland enters the transfer portal Two days into the offseason, the Oklahoma Sooners have lost two players to the transfer portal, with more likely to come. On Tuesday, true freshman catcher Corri Hicks announced via social media that she's entering the portal. On Wednesday, it's Maya Bland looking for a new home. Bland stated via Instagram, "Thank you Sooner Nation for the love and support you've shown me these past two years. I greatly appreciate it. God's got a new path for me but I will cherish my time as a Sooner." The sophomore appeared primarily as a pinch runner for the Sooners in her two years in Norman, but she did have some big moments at the plate in 2025. She hit a two-run home run in Oklahoma's 5-1 win over Alabama back in April. Against Oklahoma State, Bland hit a game-winning three-run home to secure the run-rule win over the Sooners' Bedlam rivals. During her career with Oklahoma, Bland hit .277 with two doubles, three home runs, and 14 RBIs. She had 11 stolen bases, including eight as a true freshman in 2024. The Oklahoma Sooners are set to return the key pieces to their outfield in 2025. Kasidi Pickering, Abigale Dayton, Hannah Coor, Tia Milloy, and Chaney Helton will be back. Oklahoma's also bringing in the No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting class, outfielder Kai Minor. 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.
New York Times
22-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Why are so many former top-100 recruits hitting the transfer portal so quickly?
In case you missed it, there was a bit of drama over Easter weekend in Norman, Okla., involving a former five-star defensive tackle recruit and the transfer portal. On Friday, David Stone became one of the biggest free agents of the spring window when he entered his name into the portal. Less than 48 hours later, Stone — the No. 9 overall prospect in the Class of 2024 — announced he was staying put. Sooner Nation after taking the necessary time & examining my options… I have removed my name from the portal & will be furthering my education & career at 🅾️U!! Sooner Born…Sooner Bred… & when I die I'll be Sooner dead!! #BoomerSooner — David 'Stoney' Stone Jr. (@iamdavidstonejr) April 21, 2025 Whether it was a moment of indecision or done to create negotiating leverage with Oklahoma's name, image and likeness collective, Stone became the latest example of an elite former recruit to test college football's free agent waters within a season or two of arriving on campus. Eight of the top 100 players in the 2024 cycle in the 247Sports Composite switched schools in the winter window, after just one season on campus. Three more have since put their names into the portal this month. Advertisement That includes former four-star safety Zaquan Patterson and four-star receiver Ny Carr, who were both at Miami. The other is former five-star receiver Micah Hudson, who left Texas Tech in December for Texas A&M but is back in the portal. Hudson is expected to return to Texas Tech. At this point last spring, 16 of the top 100 recruits in the 2023 cycle had already been on the move. Another 22 have since entered the portal, including four entrants this spring. That includes former four-star edge rusher Bai Jobe and four-star receiver Jalen Brown, who are both looking for their third school. In the Class of 2022, 39 of the top 100 prospects transferred at least once within their first two years of college. Why are nearly 40 percent of the top 100 high school recruits looking for new homes within two years of signing? Money matters, but there are typically other factors. 'You can't blame the players for wanting more money if there's options to do so. Coaches do the same thing,' an NIL agent who represents several elite former recruits said this week. 'But I really haven't had many situations where the players I've represented are just asking for more money. It's more about their fit, how quickly they can get on the field to get to the NFL.' A former Power 4 staffer said: 'When an elite kid leaves, it's usually because they just don't fit in the program or don't play early. Most P4 coaches have around the same salary cap to keep the guys starting happy. Guys who aren't playing, who feel like they should, hit the portal and see if they can go somewhere else for the same money and start. Usually, guys give it a couple years unless they just want to go and play.' Of those 16 players in the 2023 cycle who transferred to a new school before the 2024 season, seven became full-time starters at their new programs last fall. The list includes: Downs was the only one who was a full-time starter at his first school. Monday's biggest portal headline involved UCLA losing quarterback Joey Aguilar after Nico Iamaleava signed with the Bruins. That was until news broke later in the day that Aguilar, who transferred to UCLA in December after two years at Appalachian State, was likely headed to Tennessee in what is essentially a one-for-one quarterback trade. Advertisement Iamealava was the best available offensive player in the spring window. Georgia landed arguably the best defensive player in former Army starting linebacker Elo Modozie, who was one of three portal pickups this weekend by Kirby Smart. The others are former Miami defensive lineman Josh Horton and former Illinois running back Josh McCray, who should provide depth at their respective positions for the Bulldogs. Arkansas has been busy adding experienced starters on defense during the spring window. The Razorbacks picked up edge rusher Phillip Lee (Troy), cornerback Julian Neal (Stanford), linebacker Trent Whalen (Kent State) and safety Shakur Smalls (Maine). Auburn has signed three defensive players during the spring window — defensive linemen James Ash (Florida A&M) and Jay Hardy (Liberty) and linebacker Caleb Wheatland (Maryland). Ash and Wheatland were full-time starters last season. Hardy began his career at Auburn. (Photo of Zaquan Patterson: Sam Navarro/ Imagn Images)
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Social media reacts to David Stone staying at Oklahoma
Social media reacts to David Stone staying at Oklahoma The Oklahoma Sooners have made several significant additions via the transfer portal. But perhaps the biggest portal news came when David Stone decided to withdraw his name from the transfer portal on Sunday night. John Mateer and Jaydn Ott were huge additions for the Oklahoma Sooners offense. But retaining a player of David Stone's potential at a premium position from Oklahoma, with three years of eligibility remaining, was enormous. Oklahoma couldn't afford to lose a significant piece of their defensive tackle rotation for 2025 and a guy likely to start at defensive tackle as soon as this year but at least by 2026. David Stone is a cornerstone piece for the foundation of Brent Venables' defense and Oklahoma was able to keep him in Norman where Stone can continue to develop into the player that everyone believes he can be. Sooner Nation was ecstatic with the news of Stone's return and here's how social media reacted to the former five-star staying in Norman. From the Man himself Huge win for all sides From the DL Coach The right resolution Oklahoma General Manager Jim Nagy Reacts Only one thing left to do Teddy Lehman's thoughts Relationships Matter Has a chance to write his name in Stone Jim Nagy doing work Kept Him Home Had to Have Him What a Weekend Mizzou Fans Not Excited about facing David Stone We do get to have nice things? 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
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners Crimson Combine Schedule and Details
Oklahoma Sooners Crimson Combine Schedule and Details Back in March, the Oklahoma Sooners cancelled their traditional spring football game. In the current name, image, and likeness and transfer portal landscape of college football, the powers that be in Norman decided against holding the usual spring game, for fear that players would be injured or poached by other teams. Instead, OU will hold the first-ever "Crimson Combine" in place of the spring game. That was announced last month, but this week, the athletic department released more details about what fans who attend on April 12th can expect. According to a press release, "The OU football team will take the field at 1 p.m. Position groups consisting of offensive/defensive linemen, linebackers/defensive backs and quarterbacks/running backs/wide receivers/tight ends will complete a series of drills designed for each group." But while the drills are the main event of the day, the team also has more in store for Sooner Nation. Per the release, "Upon drills completion at approximately 2 p.m., the north end of Owen Field will open to fans for "Party in the Palace," while players sign autographs on the south end of the field for fans in the stands. Interactive inflatables, a Jordan Brand shoe box retail shop and beer garden will offer activities for fans of all ages. Additionally, the Sooner Schooner, Big Red Rocket and select trophies will be on display for fan photos. The event will conclude at 3 p.m." Oklahoma joined programs like Ohio State, USC, Nebraska, and Texas in cancelling the spring game this year. They also apparently did not take up Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy's suggestion for joint spring practices. Gates will open at noon at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for the first chance for fans to see the 2025 Sooners in action. 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 Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
