Oklahoma Redshirt Freshman DB Enters Transfer Portal

A former 3-star recruit, Jamarrien Burt appeared in three games last year as a true freshman.

With spring football officially in the rearview mirror, players are examining what the logical next step is for them heading into next season.

For some, that may mean finding a new home - which is the case for Oklahoma redshirt freshman defensive back Jamarrien Burt, who announced his intentions to transfer on Thursday evening.

“I just want to thank god for putting me in position to have played football at OU but I think it’s in my best interest to look for a new home,” Burt wrote on Twitter. “One where there is a better opportunity for me. I appreciate the guidance and help from the coaching staff, but I’m in the portal.”

Burt played just one season with the Sooners, appearing in three games last year as a true freshman picking up one solo tackle. He played 26 snaps on special teams and three snaps on defense, according to Pro Football Focus.

On March 27, safeties coach Brandon Hall sounded like he was being patient with Burt while the youngster continued to evolve.

“Jamarrien, as we all know, is explosive, and he’s talented,” Hall said. “He’s a lot like the rest of the younger guys — everyone learns different. It takes a little longer for some, a little shorter for others. He’s still figuring it out. There’s days he shows flashes of doing what we all know he can do, and there’s days where’s gonna struggle. 

"I’ve just been proud of the fact that he shows up every day working his tail off. Hopefully when that light comes on, like I figure it will at some point — or I know it will at some point — he’ll be the player I know he can be.” 

A native of Ocala, FL, he signed with Oklahoma as a 3-star prospect and the No. 28-ranked athlete in the 2022 class.

With the Sooners’ secondary getting progressively crowded, it appears Burt felt a path to significant playing time was murky at best, and thus will look for a new home.

Worth noting as Burt begins the process is that he was originally a commit of Florida, before eventually choosing to sign with Oklahoma.