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Oklahoma Signs a New Kicker Via the Transfer Portal

The Sooners added a third player from Kennesaw State on Thursday out of the transfer portal.

Ryan Chapman

NATHAN J FISH / THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK
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Oklahoma added a kicker on Thursday. 

Austin Welch, who played for Kennesaw State in 2024, signed with the Sooners to start the new year. 

In 2024, he hit 14-of-18 field goals and 20-of-21 extra points. 

He was 3-for-3 from inside 29 yards, went 8-for-9 from 30-39 yards and went 3-for-6 form 40-49 yards. His longest field goal was a 49-yarder. 

Before arriving at Kennesaw State, Welch spent three years at Eastern Kentucky, but he only appeared in one game.

Welch will have one year of eligibility remaining. 

The Sooners needed to add a kicker after both Zach Schmit and Tyler Keltner graduated following the 2024 season. 

Follow Along: Oklahoma Transfer Portal Tracker

Coincidentally, Welch will be joined by a pair of teammates in Norman. 

Oklahoma already added former Kennesaw State punter Jacob Ulrich and former Owls tight end Carson Kent. 

Ulrich was voted to the All-Conference USA First Team, Kent was a Second Team selection and Welch was an Honorable Mention.

Tuesday, the Sooners added a fourth wide receiver through the portal in California transfer Josiah Martin. 

The winter transfer portal window is now closed for entrants, but players who have entered the portal are still able to sign with new schools and maintain their eligibility in 2025. 

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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is deputy editor at AllSooners and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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