Oklahoma Sooners: Best Remaining DL key man in Transfer Portal Makes Massive Decision

On3’s top remaining defensive lineman in the transfer portal, Damonic Williams, announced his commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners on Thursday. Williams, who started playing for the TCU Horned Frogs in 2022, will be a junior under head coach Brent Venables at Oklahoma.

New Oklahoma Sooners DL Damonic Williams was the best remaining DL in On3’s transfer portal rankings

Despite being a three-star recruit in high school, Damonic Williams is now rated as a four-star transfer portal recruit by On3, making him one of the top prospects in their rankings. He is one of just three four-star defensive linemen remaining in On3’s transfer portal rankings. The other two, Simeon Barrow Jr. and Andrew Depaepe, previously played for the Michigan State Spartans.

According to On3, Barrow Jr. has a 53.3% chance of joining the Miami Hurricanes, while Depaepe’s destination remains uncertain. These three four-star prospects are the only defensive linemen left with an On3 composite rating of over 91.

Although Williams was a three-star recruit in high school, both 247Sports and Rivals.com have him listed as a four-star defensive lineman in the transfer portal.

Damonic Williams helped the TCU Horned Frogs win a College Football Playoff game

Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 320 pounds, Damonic Williams is a formidable presence on the interior defensive line. While his contributions might not always be reflected in the statistics, his impact is unmistakable on the field. This was evident when he played a crucial role for the Horned Frogs against the Michigan Wolverines in the College Football Playoff during his freshman year.

Over his two-year tenure at TCU, Williams amassed 60 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and forced a fumble. His ability to utilize both power and speed to navigate through blocks and handle double teams will provide significant assistance to the Oklahoma Sooners, especially in their inaugural season in the SEC.

Damonic Williams about to wreck SEC O-Lines! 😤
pic.twitter.com/veDDTDhX1n

— The Main Line Podcast (@TheMainLinePod) May 3, 2024

The Oklahoma Sooners need Damonic Williams’ help

Despite having a defensive-minded coach like Brent Venables, the Oklahoma Sooners have struggled to establish themselves as an elite defense. They’ve typically ranked as a middle-of-the-pack defense, even against Big 12 competition.

With the upcoming move to the SEC, the Sooners will face tougher competition, requiring a significant improvement in their defensive performance. Their current ranking of 80th in the nation in total defense won’t be sufficient if they aim to contend for an SEC championship and a College Football Playoff spot.

In 2023, the Sooners ranked 44th nationally in rushing defense, allowing an average of 138.6 rushing yards per game. Adding a player of Williams’ size and caliber should bolster their ability to stop the run.

Another potential improvement lies in their new defensive coordinator. Venables and the Sooners parted ways with former defensive coordinator Ted Roof. Zac Alley, previously the defensive coordinator at Jacksonville State, will take over the position.

Alley has experience working with Venables at Clemson, and Venables expressed excitement about having Alley on board in a statement to SoonerSports.com.

The Sooners have a lot of ground to cover if they want to be competitive in the SEC. Bringing in both Alley and Williams should contribute significantly to their improvement efforts.