Recent updates on the Oklahoma Sooners’ championship-winning team reveal that 35% of their players have entered the transfer portal. This could mean many key players from the 2026 championship team may not be wearing the Sooners’ jersey next season.
The Sooners outplayed and outmatched the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Championship Series, winning Game 1 and securing the title with an exciting victory in the decisive Game 3 on June 22 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, NE.
Fans were quick to share their reactions to the latest developments in the college baseball transfer portal.
“The downside of NIL. Hard to run it back when someone else offers more money,” one fan commented.
“Money talks. For most of these kids this is as high in the baseball pyramid as they are gonna get. So getting as much as possible is a smart move,” another fan commented.
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“It is incomprehensible to me to be part of a national championship run and leave that program. There’s just no way that leaving would be worth the extra $50k or whatever these guys will make,” yet another fan commented.
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“That’s just where college athletics is at. gotta re recruit the entire roster every year”
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“It would be shocking if nearly half the roster didn’t have a shot at playing time next year and would have a better opportunity at a comparable or better program”
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“It is incomprehensible people are shocked that NIL and unlimited transfers have led to this”
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Amid The Transfer Portal Rumors, Three Freshman Pitchers Return to Oklahoma for Next Year
The program confirmed that three freshmen pitchers, Cord Rager, Xander Mercurius, and Nick Wesloski, will remain on the team to prepare for next year’s national title defense. All three appeared in the Men’s College World Series finals against the Tar Heels.
Rager earned a win in game one against UNC; Mercurius started strongly in game two but faded as the Tar Heels advanced to a third game. Wesloski was the starting pitcher in the final game, though LJ Mercurius was credited with the win after pitching 5.2 innings.
Rager finished with a 7-3 record and a 4.74 ERA, recovering from a lat injury that sidelined him for two weeks just in time for the late regular season. Mercurius went 1-3 with a 5.76 ERA, including a win over Georgia.
Wesloski posted a 2-1 record and a 3.65 ERA. Retaining the three freshman pitchers after losing Cameron Johnson will be a major boost for the Sooners’ title defense next season.
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