It seems like Brent Venables is cooking up something big again in Big Field. Call the former backer a ‘serial LB getter’ for the kind of moves he’s making amidst the tensions in Norman. The Gophers have lost some staff members to lesser football programs and then gained some pretty good recruits in the transfer portal, like Marvin Jones Jr. and Kendal Daniels. But looks like the more staffers that leave for other jobs, the more great news we get in the portal, and it isn’t stopping anytime soon. And this time, the buzz is about a potential addition from one of Oklahoma Sooners’ fiercest rivals.

The name catching everyone’s attention? Is the name who’s a former three-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class and the No. 11 player in the state of Oklahoma. Snatching him away from their in-state rivals Oklahoma State, as per a report from On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

Jeff Roberson, a standout linebacker of the Cowboys, is the man. The rivals #22 has been on Brent Venables and OU Football’s radar recently, and insiders believe there’s more than just on-field talent pulling him toward Norman. The Locked On Sooners podcast hosts John Williams and Jay Smith dug deep in the past and revealed about his family ties. “Little nugget there,” said Jay Smith, “his brother Luke Roberson… I guess was an offensive lineman at Oklahoma at one point. Sooner!” The family connection isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s a strategic edge that Venables appears ready to capitalize on.

Jeff Roberson isn’t just another name on the portal. He’s the kind of player that can bolster a defense, even one as stacked as Oklahoma’s. Last season with the Cowboys, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker put up 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks. He also logged 19 total pressures and 30 stops, according to Pro Football Focus. That kind of production, especially in the Big 12, is nothing to scoff at. But what makes him an intriguing pick for the Sooners isn’t just the stats—it’s how he fits into Venables’ vision.

“If the Sooners do pick him up, he kind of picks up a role of a good depth piece and special teams tackler for this squad,” said the OU insiders, adding that Roberson’s versatility could make him invaluable. While the Sooners already have Kendal Daniels, a hybrid linebacker-safety who thrives in the “cheetah” role, Roberson offers something different. He brings veteran leadership, a knack for making clutch plays, and the kind of physicality that Brent Venables loves to see in his front seven.

But is another LB a necessity? That’s up for debate. As Smith pointed out, “Do we truly need a linebacker? Not so much.” And yet, the former Kansas State coach’s strategy isn’t just about filling immediate needs. It’s about creating depth and fostering competition at every position. Roberson’s presence in the locker room could push younger players to elevate their game, and his experience would be a boon for a team with championship aspirations.

Coming to OU would mean reuniting with a program that feels like home—one his brother once represented. And for Brent Venables, this recruitment represents a subtle but significant shift. Plucking talent from a rival and addressing a critique that’s haunted the Sooners for years. As Smith noted, “It feels like this regime is making up for the old regime’s refusal to recruit in-state.” With one year of eligibility remaining, Roberson has the chance to make an immediate impact.

Brent Venables rides the portal storm amid uncertainty

The year three OU coach with a 22-17 record might need to buckle up for a pivotal year in Norman. Despite landing five-star recruits and making moves to lock down Oklahoma’s top talent, the Sooners’ seven-time national champion program feels like it’s fallen just short of its historic standard. A disappointing 6–7 record this past season and another playoff miss, coach BV could soon be out of the Sooners.

Heading into the 2025 season, Venables finds himself on the dreaded “hot seat,” as noted in ESPN’s way-too-early breakdown of coaches under pressure. Listed in the “We want this to work” category—alongside, Hugh Freeze and Kalen DeBoer—Venables’ future is under a microscope. According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, “Ideally, OU would maintain its championship trajectory under a coach who wants to end his career in Norman, and make Riley regret his decision. But Venables is off to a shaky start.”

“A Sooners team that never lost more than five games under Stoops and never more than two under Riley has dropped seven twice in three years under Venables,” he said. The talent is there, but now the results need to follow.