Oklahoma’s secondary is set to lose a young but highly regarded piece, as true freshman safety Marcus Wimberly plans to leave Norman and enter the transfer portal when it officially opens on Jan. 2.
On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported the news Friday evening, with Wimberly confirming the report by reposting Fawcett’s announcement on X alongside a Bible verse while tagging his father and high school coach, Tommy Wimberly. The move ends a brief one-year stint with the Sooners for a player many fans never fully got to see.
Former OU safety Marcus Wimberly planning to Transfer
Jeremiah 29:11 @winnerswin07 https://t.co/2iB6t6IN1P
— Marcus Wimberly ✞ (@Marcus1Wimberly) December 27, 2025
A 6-foot-1, 200-pound safety, Wimberly arrived in Norman as one of the more underrated additions in Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class. He was ranked as a Top 200 recruit in the On300 and finished as the No. 35 safety nationally and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Arkansas, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Despite the high expectations, Wimberly saw limited action during his lone season at Oklahoma. With four years of eligibility remaining, the decision appears driven by a desire for increased playing time and possibly a return closer to home. Wimberly is a native of Arkansas and starred at Bauxite High School, where his father serves as an assistant coach.
Why Arkansas Football Could Be Back in Play
Wimberly’s recruitment was notable from the start. He originally committed to Arkansas before Oklahoma even extended an offer. Once the Sooners entered the picture, momentum quickly shifted, 247Sports logged a Crystal Ball prediction for Wimberly to choose Oklahoma just one day after the offer was made.
Now, the Razorbacks are expected to be firmly back in the mix as Wimberly explores his options as a transfer. Arkansas is in rebuild mode and seeking to build around a local nucleus with in-state players being a focal point under Silverfield's new vision. With the secondary struggling the way the did in 2025 the fit seems natural and it's a genuine need. A player with Wimberly’s size, athleticism, and four years of remaining eligibility would be a strong developmental piece for a staff looking to revamp its defensive backfield and could offer up the possibility of instant playing time.
Wherever Wimberly lands, he projects as a high-upside addition with the tools to grow into a multi-year contributor. Arkansas should be one of the first teams to go calling once the transfer portal open as this represents a valuable opportunity to develop and retain a former blue-chip prospect who is still early in his college career.