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Report: Oklahoma Running Back to Enter Transfer Portal

After one season with the Sooners, running back Sam Franklin is set to enter the transfer portal again.
Ryan Chapman|
Oklahoma Sooners running back Sam Franklin
Oklahoma Sooners running back Sam Franklin | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

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Oklahoma Sooners

A third Sooner is reportedly set to enter the transfer portal this spring. 

Running back Sam Franklin will leave Oklahoma after one season, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported on Tuesday. 

Franklin arrived in Norman last year from UT Martin, but he failed to make an impact. 

He carried the ball just 18 times for 132 yards in 2024. He also caught five catches for 18 yards.

Franklin returned six kickoffs for 133 yards as well. 

The 5-foot-10, 202-pound back from Little Rock, AR, will have one season of eligibility remaining at his next stop. 

Oklahoma already lost tight end Davon Mitchell, who failed to get onto the field as a freshman, and defensive back Mykel Patterson-McDonald to the portal. 

The post-spring transfer portal window will open on Wednesday and remain open until April 25.

With new eyes on the roster in general manager Jim Nagy, the Sooners are expected to pursue a new running back in the transfer portal. 

Before transferring to Oklahoma, Franklin enjoyed a nice career for UT Martin. 

He rushed for 1,378 yards and 11 touchdowns on 223 carries in 2023, adding 13 receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown. 

In 2022, Franklin rushed for 676 yards and eight scores on 85 carries. 

It was highly unlikely he’d factor into Oklahoma’s running back rotation in 2025.

With Jovantae Barnes, Gavin Sawchuk, Xavier Robinson and Taylor Tatum all back, Franklin would have again been buried on the depth chart. 

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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is co-publisher at Sooners On SI and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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