The kicking game isn’t often the headline of an offseason, but when your program is building for just its sexond season in the Southeastern Conference, every detail matters — especially the ones that can swing close games. Brent Venables and Oklahoma understand that truth all too well.
After the Crimson Combine revealed a lingering issue at kicker, Venables made it clear that the Sooners needed more than just bodies in the kicking room — they needed competition, depth, and ideally, a reliable leg with a proven track record. Oklahoma pursued that solution hard during the spring transfer portal window. After a swing-and-miss on Texas State transfer Mason Shipley, who chose Texas, the Sooners quickly pivoted and landed a strong consolation prize: UTSA transfer Tate Sandell.
But calling Sandell a “consolation prize” might be underselling what he brings to the table.
Sandell, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior from Port Neches, Texas, announced his entry into the transfer portal on a Wednesday and was in Norman for an official visit by Thursday. By Friday, he had committed to the Sooners. That kind of rapid-fire courtship speaks volumes — both about the Sooners’ urgency at the position and Sandell’s desirability as a veteran leg.
In his lone season as UTSA’s primary kicker, Sandell was one of the most consistent kickers in the Group of Five. He hit 19 of 23 field goal attempts, and three of his four misses came from beyond 50 yards. He was almost automatic from inside 50 and added a 54-yard make — a UTSA program record — to his résumé. He also converted 35 of 36 extra points and shattered another school record with 62 touchbacks on kickoffs.
In short, he did everything asked of a starting kicker. And now, he’s poised to do the same in Norman.
An Immediate Upgrade
Oklahoma’s kicking game in 2024 was a mixed bag. The Sooners split duties between Zach Schmit and Tyler Keltner, who combined for a modest 80% field goal percentage and connected on just 70% of attempts from 40 yards or longer. While serviceable, that kind of output won’t cut it in the SEC, where games are often decided by three points or less.
Enter Sandell, who doesn’t just bring better numbers — he brings confidence and control. In 2024, he never kicked a ball out of bounds on 85 kickoff attempts. He finished second in the AAC in total field goals made and earned All-AAC Honorable Mention honors despite playing for a program with far less national visibility than Oklahoma.
His consistency inside 50 yards is particularly noteworthy. With Oklahoma’s offense expected to take a step forward in 2025 behind a revamped attack from new coordinator Ben Arbuckle, the Sooners are likely to find themselves in scoring range often. Having a kicker who can confidently convert from 45 yards out — and possibly longer — is a luxury few teams in the conference can boast. Sandell provides that luxury.
A Complete Package
Kickers who can do it all — placekicking, long-distance accuracy, and kickoff strength — are rare. Sandell fits that bill. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he served as UTSA’s kickoff specialist and set a school record with 42 touchbacks. That same year, he also hit a 47-yard field goal, his first career make.
It wasn’t until 2024 that Sandell took over full-time duties, but when he did, he didn’t just handle the role — he elevated it. He shattered his own touchback record and added elite range to his field goal game, all while demonstrating poise and consistency. Those qualities, along with his experience, make him a strong candidate to take over as Oklahoma’s starting kicker on day one.
It’s also worth noting that Sandell is a left-footed kicker, which can create a slightly different angle for opposing return teams and special teams units to prepare for — a small edge, perhaps, but every detail matters in high-level competition.
The New Landscape in Norman
The Sooners’ kicking room looks quite a bit different now than it did just a few months ago. With the departures of Schmit and Keltner, Oklahoma added not only Sandell but also Austin Welch, a transfer from Kennesaw State who made 14 field goals last season. Welch is a strong competitor in his own right, but based on Sandell’s 2024 campaign, he enters the summer as the projected starter.
Liam Evans and a pair of local walk-ons round out the group, though the roster limit of 105 players could impact how many kickers actually make it to the fall. With more kickers than quarterbacks currently on the roster, it wouldn’t be surprising to see another shakeup before fall camp.
Still, Venables and general manager Jim Nagy should feel confident about where the position stands now compared to a little more than a week ago. The program saw a weakness, responded aggressively in the portal, and brought in a player with a track record of delivering under pressure.
Bigger Stakes in the SEC
Oklahoma’s 2025 season comes with heightened expectations and increased scrutiny as the program needs to take a step forward into the SEC spotlight. With that transition comes the need for stability in every phase of the game, and special teams is no exception. The Sooners will face tighter defenses, more raucous road environments, and smaller margins for error. That puts the onus on every specialist — especially the kicker — to execute flawlessly.
Having someone like Sandell, who’s already kicked in high-leverage situations and produced consistently, will be vital. He may not be the flashiest transfer addition in Oklahoma’s No. 13-ranked portal class, but he could prove to be one of the most important.
Because when the game is tied late in the fourth quarter in the Cotton Bowl, Athens, or Tuscaloosa, it might not be the five-star quarterback or the All-SEC linebacker who determines the outcome.
It might be the kicker.
And in Tate Sandell, Oklahoma believes it has found the one it can trust.
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