VOLS COACH EVENTUALLY COMMITED BY INTRODUCING THE DREW TO.

True insanity has been introduced to the table by the college football transfer portal window. Several of the best players in the nation who have become available are announcing where they will be playing next.

The chaos is nothing new to the Oklahoma Sooners. Another fresh face has been added to their collection by the portal.

Samuel Franklin has declared his allegiance to the Crimson and Cream on social media. Born and raised in the greater Little Rock, Arkansas area, he excelled as UT Martin’s running back in Tennessee.

“It is with great enthusiasm, strength of mind, and toughness of my spirit that I’ve chosen to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility left,” Franklin said when he entered the portal. “I want to express my gratitude to coach Jason Simpson and the whole Skyhawk Nation for their unwavering belief in me and encouragement along the way. I have no words to adequately convey my love for you, my family, who have been my ten toes down without question. Last but not least, I am eternally grateful to God for all of his blessings.

Throughout the 2023 season, Franklin carried the ball 223 times for a total of 1386 yards on the ground and 11 rushing touchdowns. In addition, he had 14 airborne receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. Franklin is a proven effective presence out of the backfield. He was selected as a second team member of the FCS Football Central All-American, a first team member of the Big South-OVC Football Association, and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.

Oklahoma was the first state to make Franklin an official offer after he entered the portal as a result. Shortly after he became available, the Sooners, USC, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Indiana, and Memphis all started pursuing him.

This week, Franklin made his official announcement after visiting the campus in Norman to meet with OU staff. A great addition for Oklahoma’s offensive coaches, Brent Venables, DeMarco Murray, and Seth Littrell.

Franklin will become a part of Oklahoma’s anticipated all-star running back group. Along with Jovantae Barnes, a veteran of the team, Gavin Sawchuk is anticipated to return as the lead back. Despite backs such as Marcus Major,

Daylan Smothers and Tawee Walker are anticipated to leave the show, but Kalib Hicks ought to return. In addition, Norman will receive a deep group of young players at the position. With his impending arrival on campus, Taylor Tatum is widely regarded as the best running back available in the 2024 recruiting class. Xavier Robinson, an in-state star, will also be present and will likely begin working with the team prior to OU’s Alamo Bowl game. Then there’s Andy Bass, who should also contribute after bouncing back from a recent injury.

Oklahoma provided two backs through the portal. However, the Sooners quickly acquired their man for this cycle. Franklin moves up to the SEC from the FCS.

The 30-day end-of-season transfer window opened on Monday, signaling the beginning of transfer portal season.

As programs navigate the transactions and roster management that come with playing college football in this day and age, there has already been a deluge of activity throughout the landscape. Naturally, Oklahoma is not an exception.

With a few players declaring their intentions to transfer before the transfer window opened on Monday, the Sooners saw the beginning of their roster turnover last week. Since the window opened, more have emerged, the most notable of which being starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who has helped Oklahoma get ready to move from the Big 12 to the SEC and set the stage for the Jackson Arnold era in Norman. There will be more choices made for Oklahoma, both in terms of players departing the program and new additions joining the fray this offseason.