Nic Anderson, the dynamic wide receiver and No. 1 target in the SEC transfer portal, has officially decommitted from the Oklahoma Sooners and flipped his commitment to the rival Texas Longhorns. The announcement, made via social media on November 8, 2025, comes just weeks before the early signing period, catching both fanbases off guard. Anderson, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound playmaker known for his explosive speed and contested-catch ability, had been a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class after flipping from Oregon during his senior year at Katy High School. His departure represents a significant blow to the Sooners’ wide receiver room, already thin after injuries plagued his Norman tenure.
Anderson’s journey to this point has been marked by promise and misfortune. As a freshman in 2022, he showed flashes of brilliance, hauling in key receptions in limited action behind an established Sooners offense. However, a devastating knee injury in the 2023 preseason sidelined him for the entire campaign, limiting him to just 38 catches for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns over his two healthy seasons. Despite the setbacks, Anderson entered the transfer portal in December 2024 amid Oklahoma’s transitional period in the SEC, drawing interest from powerhouses like LSU—where he briefly committed before reopening his recruitment—and now Texas. Family ties played a role early on, with his brother Rodney Anderson’s storied career at Oklahoma influencing his initial pledge, but whispers of NIL opportunities and a fresh start under Steve Sarkisian’s high-octane offense at Texas had been circulating for months.
The flip to Texas is a masterstroke for the Longhorns, who have aggressively rebuilt their receiving corps following the departure of key contributors to the NFL Draft and portal. Sarkisian, fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, has prioritized size and versatility at the position, and Anderson fits seamlessly as a potential X-receiver to complement emerging stars like Isaiah Bond and emerging freshman phenoms. Texas, already boasting one of the nation’s top transfer hauls this cycle, gains a proven SEC talent who can contribute immediately in their quest for a national championship. Anderson’s addition bolsters an offense that ranked top-10 in passing efficiency last season, providing quarterback Quinn Ewers (or his successor) with a reliable deep threat capable of stretching defenses.
For Oklahoma, the news compounds a challenging 2025 recruiting narrative. The Sooners, under Brent Venables, have struggled to retain portal talent amid the rigors of SEC play, losing several high-profile commits and transfers to rivals. Anderson’s exit leaves a void in experience and production, forcing the staff to pivot toward junior college options or under-the-radar high school prospects to fill the wideout depth chart. Fans in Norman are left grappling with the irony—Anderson, once a heralded flip from Oregon engineered by Lincoln Riley’s staff, now departs for the Red River rival in a move that echoes the Sooners’ own aggressive recruiting tactics of yesteryear. Venables issued a brief statement thanking Anderson for his contributions and wishing him well, but the sting of losing a homegrown talent to Austin is palpable.
As the dust settles on this seismic shift, both programs look ahead with renewed focus. Texas emerges stronger, positioning Anderson as a centerpiece in their loaded 2026 offense and fueling speculation of another Red River Shootout thriller. Oklahoma, meanwhile, must rally around its remaining core, with Venables emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity. For Anderson, the move represents a homecoming of sorts—back to the Lone Star State where he dominated at Katy High—and an opportunity to finally unleash his full potential on the biggest stage. College football’s silly season never disappoints, and this flip ensures the OU-UT rivalry remains as heated as ever.
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