Oklahoma Might get Additional Help From Transfer Portal Defensive Lineman

The Sooners already have a stacked defensive line, and the position group could get even stronger in the coming weeks.

Sep 20, 2025; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Braxton Fely (90) motions at the line of scrimmage against Air Force Falcons guard Costen Cooley (67) and quarterback Liam Szarka (9) and fullback Terrence Gist (12) in the fourth quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With less than one day from the Sooners’ opener against UTEP, they are trending to add another defensive lineman to their roster for the 2026 season.

The Cleveland County District Court granted Braxton Fely — a former starting defensive tackle at Boise State — a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, allowing him to enter the transfer portal and compete in 2026. 

Per the court documents, Fely intends to play his fifth college football season at Oklahoma.

Another state court TRO... and a name that may be of interest to at least some of my followers.

Former Boise State DT Braxton Fely was granted a TRO by an Oklahoma state court to allow him to suit up for the Sooners pending a preliminary injunction hearing. pic.twitter.com/v4UtLhu7Yn

— Sam C. Ehrlich (@samcehrlich) September 3, 2026

Fely played four seasons at Boise State. According to Pete Nakos of On3, Fely was invited to an NFL mini-camp but never signed a professional contract.

The defensive tackle made a key impact in each of his four seasons at Boise State.

In 2022, his true freshman campaign, Fely appeared in all 14 of the Broncos’ games. His role expanded in 2023, as Fely started 14 games at defensive tackle and led the Mountain West with three forced fumbles.

As a junior in 2024, Fely took home All-Mountain West Second Team honors after racking up 24 total tackles, 14 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Fely was an All-Mountain West Second Team pick again in 2025. He registered 24 total tackles, seven solo tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks and helped the Broncos finish 9-5.

Fely is a native of Orem, Utah. He was a 3-star recruit in the Class of 2022, per ESPN and 247Sports.

With or without Fely, Oklahoma’s defensive line is expected to be one of the nation’s best in 2026.

The Sooners retained stars David Stone and Jayden Jackson — both juniors — after the two of them combined for 70 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2025. Fighting for playing time behind Stone and Jackson will be Trent Wilson, Nigel Smith II, James Carrington and Bishop Thomas.

Fely isn't the only fifth-year defensive lineman attempting to join OU’s roster in 2026.

Danny Saili, who previously played at Arkansas, committed to Oklahoma in August after a Colorado judge ruled that fifth-year student-athletes were eligible to compete in 2026, thanks to the NCAA’s new “five-for-five” framework. Colorado’s 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, though, stayed the ruling a few weeks later, leaving Saili ineligible.

On Thursday, Cleveland County District Court judge Thad Balkman granted Saili — and a handful of other student-athletes — a temporary restraining order, granting him the ability to play in 2026.

Saili stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 319 pounds. He finished the 2025 season with 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.