The Oklahoma Sooners have acquired transfer defensive tackle Jermayne Lole.

Since Brent Venables’ arrival in Norman, the focus has been crystal clear: prepare the Oklahoma Sooners for the challenges of the SEC. With this goal in mind, Venables and his coaching team have been diligently revamping the Sooners’ defense, particularly the defensive line.

Their efforts received a significant boost on Monday with the commitment of Louisville transfer defensive tackle Jermayne Lole.

Lole initially began his collegiate career at Arizona State before transferring to Louisville. Despite encountering injuries from 2020 to 2022, Lole showcased his potential during his sophomore year in 2019, registering impressive stats with 71 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.

In the 2023 season, he played in 12 games but had relatively lower numbers with 19 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. However, he started nine games and managed to accumulate 13 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

With over 1,800 snaps played across five seasons, Lole brings a wealth of experience to the defensive tackle position for the Sooners.

Lole’s addition bolsters an already improving defensive tackle group featuring Da’Jon Terry, Gracen Halton, Jayden Jackson, Davon Sears, and David Stone. While this group shows promising potential, experience has been lacking.

Moreover, the Sooners’ pursuit of TCU transfer defensive tackle Damonic Williams remains ongoing. Williams recently visited Norman and showed interest, although he continues to explore his options for the 2024 season.

With Lole onboard, the Sooners gain another reliable nose tackle option, enhancing the rotation alongside Terry. This addition provides Todd Bates and the coaching staff with a seasoned player to anchor the defensive line.