The Oklahoma Sooners have always done well with recruiting. And, before Brent Venables, Lincoln Riley was probably even better at it in Norman than what Venables has been. I mean, look at what he's doing at USC this summer.
But not all of his recruits hit. In fact, one that I think most of us thought would hit is about to transfer to his fourth school. And, that doesn't mean he's a bad player or a bad person, but that he just wasn't a fit for Oklahoma. It's more than just being a good football player that makes you a good fit for Oklahoma -- much more.
After having a huge season in FCS football, he's looking to possibly make the jump back up to the FBS level.
Trejan Bridges is now a wide receiver for the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Bears with a rollercoaster college football career. He started at Oklahoma in 2019 as a top recruit—five-star by Rivals, four-star by others—out of Hebron High School in Texas, picking the Sooners over schools like Alabama.
He played 15 games in 2019 and 2020, catching nine passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns, but struggled to lock down a role and even tried switching to safety. In 2021, he was kicked off the team after an alleged robbery incident with another player, ending his time there.
Central Arkansas wide receiver Trejan Bridges announces he will enter the transfer portal.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 3, 2025
Former Oklahoma transfer and four-star recruit posted 53 catches for 748 yards this season with 6 touchdowns. https://t.co/VxSGJETKD9 https://t.co/VYrhzxlxnb pic.twitter.com/zsrTrPcYgy
Bridges bounced back through junior college, playing at East Los Angeles College in 2022. He caught 59 passes for 762 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games, proving he still had talent. He joined UCA in 2023, and in 2024, he led the Bears with 53 catches, 748 yards, and six touchdowns.
Bridges has now entered the transfer portal with one year of eligibility left. His path—from big-time recruit to junior college to FCS star—shows he’s tough, and his next stop could decide if he makes it to the pros or not.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!