The Oklahoma Sooners have been busy recruiting talent in the NCAA transfer portal. However, other teams across the country have also been busy adding former OU players to their rosters. The latest case involves a former Sooner veteran who could end up being a big loss.
Former Oklahoma State guard Kobe McKinzie is transferring to play for the Northwestern Wildcats. He spent four years in Norman after arriving at Oregon as part of the 2022 recruiting class. McKinzie, who finished his career with the Sooners with 84 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 2 passes defensed and 2.5 sacks, will arrive at Northwestern with one year of eligibility remaining.
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McKinzie started the season for the Clippers as the starter at inside linebacker, but as time went on, he gave up his spot in the LB rotation to other players, primarily Owen Heinecke, who took over McKinzie’s starting spot. Still, McKinzie has been a key role player at Division II Oklahoma State, and he’ll bring his experience working under one of the best defensive coaching staffs in Oklahoma football to the Wildcats this season.
For the Sooners, the inside linebacker position remains up in the air in 2026. With McKinzie out, and the uncertainty weather over whether Heinecke will be granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, the Sooners may have some reloading at that position. Additionally, Kip Lewis has the option to go to the NFL, which would make Oklahoma’s linebacker position even more dangerous.
OU hopes to retain Sammy Omosiho and would like to see Heinecke and/or Lewis return for one last time, but expect the Sooners to be active in the transfer portal when it comes to adding players at the inside linebacker position.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Former Sooners linebacker transfers to Big Ten team
