Brent Venables explains OU’s ‘motives’ for adding last-minute DT transfers Danny Saili, Braxton Fely

NORMAN — Eighty different players saw the field for Oklahoma in its season-opening win against UTEP on Friday night. Only one of them gained eligibility on the eve of the Sooners’ first game of the year.

Danny Saili, the defensive tackle transfer from Arkansas, made his Oklahoma debut in a 51-0 win against UTEP at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Saili played four snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and recorded a tackle in the fourth quarter as the Sooners’ defense opened its 2026 campaign with a shutout on its home turf.

While Saili’s playing time was minimal, it was a significant development for Oklahoma. Saili was ineligible to play until Thursday afternoon, when he was one of eight plaintiffs who were granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA by Judge Thad Balkman in Cleveland County District Court. That TRO opened the door for Saili — who spent two years in junior college and two years at Arkansas — to play a fifth college season, taking advantage of the NCAA’s five-for-five eligibility rule.

“(Saili getting in the game) was great,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “He’s been with us for a couple of weeks, saw the field tonight, and he’s remarkably picked up things really fast, but his experience really showed.”