Oklahoma adds Danny Saili while eligibility case remains unresolved

01 · The NewsSaili Can Practice, Not Play

Oklahoma added former Arkansas defensive tackle Danny Saili to its roster Wednesday, but a Colorado appeals court’s hold on a ruling about his potential fifth season leaves him able to practice and unable to play when the Sooners open against UTEP on Friday, Sept. 4.

“He's on the team. He's been added to the roster, and he's currently practicing,” coach Brent Venables said Wednesday.

“He's done a good job. He knows how to play d-tackle,” Venables said. “That jumped out at you right away ... His fundamentals, his precision, his quickness … he really picked things up well, remarkably well. I was incredibly surprised.”

Saili is listed at 6-foot-1 and 280 pounds. He played in 18 games for Arkansas over the past two seasons, including 11 in 2025, and would join a tackle group led by Jayden Jackson and David Stone. His addition fills Oklahoma’s final roster spot and gives the Sooners 111 players.

Saili entered the transfer portal after the 2025 season despite being out of eligibility, then committed to Oklahoma after a Colorado judge ruled that players who graduated high school in 2022 qualified for a fifth season under the NCAA’s five-for-five plan. The Colorado 10th Circuit Court of Appeals later put that ruling on hold, leaving Saili ineligible to play under the current order.

The appeals court has not said when it will address the ruling, whether Saili will be cleared or how much eligibility he would receive. Until then, Saili’s season consists of practice, not Saturdays.

02 · The StakesWhy It Matters

Saili can learn Venables’ defense and take practice reps while Oklahoma waits on a ruling that could determine whether it gains another experienced interior lineman for games against Michigan on Sept. 12 and Georgia on Sept. 26. Oklahoma went 6-2 in the SEC last season and enters 2026 ranked No. 10 by the AP and No. 9 in the coaches poll.

03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching