The transfer portal removed barriers to players transferring to any school. Athletes can move freely, even between conferences. Oklahoma wide receiver Parker Livingstone did just that, transferring from longtime rival Texas. Livingstone opens up regarding the move and the subsequent reaction to his decision.
Oklahoma WR Parker Livingstone Discusses Backlash From Texas Transfer
Livingstone crossed the Red River, choosing to play on the other side of the rivalry. On January 6, he announced via social media that he would be leaving Austin for Norman.
He sat down with reporters, one of whom, Carson Field from Sooners on SI, tweeted over two minutes of the interview. At 1:31 of the video, Livingstone opened up about how he dealt with the negative comments he has received.
“I deleted Instagram, Twitter, and I didn’t get on it for about two and a half weeks. I didn’t get back on it until we came up here (Norman), January 17. I was not going through it. The thing is that I’m still getting messages. I’m still getting tagged in TikToks.”
The wide receiver’s farewell message to the Longhorns mentioned his disbelief. Though he gave no reasons, speculation was that he was displaced for high-value NIL targets. Texas signed former Auburn wideout Cam Coleman, who will lead the offense this season.
New Oklahoma WR Parker Livingstone talked about his portal process and the hate he received from Texas fans.
He said he deleted social media for two weeks when he committed and that he’s still being tagged in TikToks.#Sooners pic.twitter.com/7yYj6VIeDO
— Carson Field (@CarsonDField) March 9, 2026
During his time playing for Texas, the 6-foot-4 wideout caught 29 passes for 516 yards and six touchdowns.
What Livingstone Brings to Oklahoma’s Offense
Livingstone joins an Oklahoma team aiming to boost its offense. The Sooners made the College Football Playoff last season but often struggled to move the ball later in the year. Quarterback John Mateer broke his hand during the Auburn game and returned earlier than expected.
The team finished 10-3, but the offense faltered down the stretch. Mateer’s completion percentage dipped, and his interception rate climbed after the injury, as Oklahoma relied heavily on its defense during a four-game winning streak to close the regular season.
As a serious threat, Livingstone gives Mateer a playmaker with both size and explosiveness. Paired with slot receiver Isaiah Sategna III, who led the team with 965 yards and eight touchdowns, the offense should stretch defenses.
Virginia transfer Trell Harris looks to balance Oklahoma’s attack. Last year, the Sooners ranked No. 60 in the PFSN CFB Offense Impact Rankings, making the passing game a top priority for improvement.
Oklahoma’s Early-Season Schedule Puts Livingstone to the Test
The schedule quickly forces Livingstone and Oklahoma to test the new offense on the road. Of its first four games, Oklahoma will play at Michigan on September 12. After a home game against New Mexico, they head to Athens on September 26 to battle Georgia.
In early October, the team will travel to Dallas to face Livingstone’s former school, Texas, in the Red River Rivalry. This will be his first matchup against his old team.
