As the Oklahoma Sooners gear up for the 2026 season, head coach Brent Venables has confirmed that they have filled their final roster spot with the addition of defensive lineman Danny Saili. This comes just days before their season opener against UTEP, but the situation surrounding Saili's eligibility remains complex due to ongoing legal rulings.
Originally from Arkansas, Saili entered the transfer portal after the last season, despite being out of eligibility. His hopes for a fifth season of college football were bolstered when a Colorado judge ruled that players who graduated high school in 2022 could qualify for an additional year under the NCAA’s newly implemented “five-for-five” eligibility plan. However, this ruling was quickly stayed by the Colorado 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, leaving Saili's status in limbo.
Despite the uncertainty, Saili committed to the Sooners, but his addition to the official roster was delayed as the team awaited clarity on his eligibility. Notably, Saili's case differs from those of former professional players re-entering college football, as he has never signed an NFL contract or participated in an NFL tryout.
Venables addressed the situation during a recent SEC teleconference, stating, "He’s on the team. He’s been added to the roster, and he’s currently practicing." Although Saili is not eligible to compete in games at this time, he is enrolled at Oklahoma and actively participating in team practices, which is a positive sign for his development.
At 6-foot-1 and weighing 280 pounds, Saili brings valuable experience to the Sooners. Venables expressed his satisfaction with Saili's performance in practice, highlighting his skills as a defensive tackle. "He’s done a good job. He knows how to play d-tackle. That jumped out at you right away... His fundamentals, his precision, his quickness… he really picked things up well, remarkably well. I was incredibly surprised," Venables remarked.
Saili's journey to Oklahoma has been a winding one. He spent two seasons at Hutchinson Community College before transferring to BYU, where he signed ahead of the 2024 season. After a brief stint with the Cougars, he transferred again to Arkansas, where he played in 18 games over two seasons, including 11 games last year.
The Sooners have a strong lineup at defensive tackle, featuring players like Jayden Jackson, David Stone, and Bishop Thomas among others. If Saili is eventually deemed eligible to play, he would add depth and experience to a critical position on the field. While his eligibility is being resolved, he continues to gain valuable practice experience and familiarize himself with Venables' defensive schemes.
With Saili now officially part of the roster, the Sooners have a total of 111 players, matching the number they had at the start of the previous season. The anticipation builds as Oklahoma prepares to host UTEP on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Norman, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their football journey.
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