Brent Venables has started a transfer pipeline to Oklahoma, though it may not be without some holes.
On Thursday, the Sooners announced the signing of kicker Austin Welch from the transfer portal. Welch becomes the third player Oklahoma has added from Kennesaw State, following punter Jacob Ulrich and tight end Carson Kent.
For those unfamiliar with Kennesaw State, the Owls have only had a football program for 10 years. In their first season at the FBS level, they finished with a 2-10 record after joining Conference USA. The Owls are ranked 133rd in CBS Sports’ college football rankings, just ahead of winless Kent State.
Though the Owls struggled on offense and defense this season, they excelled on special teams. Kennesaw State ranked ninth in special teams efficiency according to ESPN’s FPI, with Welch playing a key role as kicker. As a redshirt junior, he made 12 of 14 field-goal attempts, with a long of 49 yards.
Welch transferred to Kennesaw State from Eastern Kentucky for just one season and still has one year of eligibility left.
Oklahoma needed a kicker after both Zach Schmit and Tyler Keltner exhausted their eligibility.
The Sooners also added Kennesaw State punter Jacob Ulrich, who was the first transfer portal commitment for OU this cycle. Ulrich led the FBS in punting yards and was second in punt attempts this season, averaging 46 yards per punt. He should immediately replace Luke Elzinga as the starting punter and has three years of eligibility remaining.
So far, Oklahoma has added 12 players from the transfer portal. While the portal is now closed for OU players, the Sooners lost 26. More transfers could still come, but hopefully, that’s the last of the Kennesaw State recruits.
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