Notable Oklahoma LB Enters Portal After News of Zac Alley’s Departure to WVU

WVU fans know all about how a coaching change can cause an exodus of players, and now it appears that could be happening to Oklahoma on the heels of losing Zac Alley. The day after ESPN’s Pete Thamel confirmed prior speculation that Alley is leaving the Sooners to take over as defensive coordinator under Rich Rodriguez a key player is entering the transfer portal.

On Sunday, the Sooners lost a notable player in linebacker Lewis Carter. Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports was first to report Carter’s decision to enter the transfer portal, which comes as a direct result of Alley’s exit.

So even before Alley is officially announced as coming to West Virginia, the impact is already being felt by the Sooners.

Carter (6-foot, 215 pounds), who two more years left of eligibility, recorded 30 total tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in two years in Norman. He was a four-star recruit out of Tampa Catholic High School in Tampa Bay, Fla.

While some will speculate that deporting Oklahoma players are headed to West Virginia, and that’s certainly possible, there’s no word on if the Mountaineers have contacted Lewis yet, granted they still have time. Lewis will likely garner plenty of attention from major programs across the country.

As far as Alley, he’s believed to be signing a three-year deal with WVU. This confirms recent rumors and speculation about Alley coming to West Virginia to work under Rodriguez again. He was also among WV Sports Now’s early favorites for the job back on Dec. 15.

Zac Alley Leaving Oklahoma to Become Rich Rodriguez’s DC at West Virginia

Alley was asked about his future following the Sooners’ 21-20 Armed Forces Bowl loss to Navy on Friday.

Below is what Alley had to say during a postgame radio spot.

“Every year, there’s going to be something that comes up with jobs and whatnot, man, but I’m just excited about our team,” said Alley.

“I think coming back next season, we’re going to have a great opportunity to be successful, be a top defense in the country, and hopefully, we got some young guys who can come along to help us do that.”

Alley, 30, is viewed as an up and coming young defensive mind and has a connection to Rodriguez.

Alley has been serving as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oklahoma, a position he owes to his time working under Rodriguez at Jacksonville State.

Prior to joining the Sooners in 2024, Alley spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Rodriguez and the Gamecocks as defensive coordinator. He’s also worked at Louisiana-Monroe, again with Rodriguez, and Boise State as well as earned a couple national championship rings as a graduate assistant with Clemson.

Rodriguez made it clear he’s being provided enough money to hire “a really good one” when talking about his defensive coordinator during his introductory press conference.

For a related story, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti conducted a live show to talk with fans about the news.