BREAKING: Notre Dame Transfer Tae Davis Commits to Oklahoma Sooners

In a move that could significantly impact the Big 12 basketball landscape, Notre Dame forward Tae Davis has officially committed to the University of Oklahoma. The 6-foot-9 transfer, who recently wrapped up a breakout season in South Bend, brings a dynamic combination of length, athleticism, and two-way versatility to a Sooners squad looking to rise to national prominence under head coach Porter Moser.

This commitment marks a pivotal moment in Davis’ collegiate career, as well as a major win for the Oklahoma program.

From Indianapolis to Norman: A Journey of Growth

Tae Davis began his college career at Seton Hall, where he showed flashes of potential but never quite found his footing. As a freshman, he averaged just under three points and three rebounds per game—numbers that don’t leap off the stat sheet but hinted at his defensive instincts and rebounding ability.

After just one year, Davis made the decision to transfer to Notre Dame. It was a homecoming of sorts, bringing him back to a familiar Midwest setting, and more importantly, putting him under the guidance of head coach Micah Shrewsberry. At Notre Dame, Davis finally found the freedom and trust he needed to thrive. He blossomed into one of the ACC’s most improved players during the 2024-25 season.

Breakout Season at Notre Dame

Davis averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game during the 2024-25 campaign, helping lead a young Notre Dame team to several key wins and becoming the anchor on both ends of the floor. His 24-point outing against Le Moyne just before Christmas was a turning point—not only in the game, which Notre Dame won 91-62—but in how Davis was perceived nationally.

He became a nightly matchup problem: too quick for big men, too long for guards, and nearly impossible to contain in transition. His shot selection improved, his defense sharpened, and his leadership became evident.

While Notre Dame struggled to stay above .500 in a stacked ACC, Davis’ individual performances made him one of the most talked-about names heading into transfer season. By March, speculation began to swirl: would he return for another year in South Bend, declare for the NBA Draft, or seek new challenges elsewhere?

On March 23, Davis entered the transfer portal.

The Portal Frenzy

From the moment Davis entered his name into the portal, interest was high. Programs from across the country reached out. Reports indicate that schools like Illinois, USC, Michigan State, Texas Tech, and Arkansas were all in the mix, offering various NIL packages, promising development pipelines, and starting roles.

But Oklahoma stood out.

Porter Moser’s staff immediately made Davis their top target, pitching him on a vision that aligned with his goals: to be a featured player in an offense that would showcase his full arsenal, and a defensive cornerstone for a team that needed a veteran presence with elite length.

By the first week of April, Davis had narrowed his list to three schools—Oklahoma, Michigan State, and Illinois. After a visit to Norman and an in-depth sit-down with Moser, his decision was made.

Why Oklahoma?

There are multiple reasons why Davis ultimately chose the Sooners:

1. Style of Play
   Oklahoma’s up-tempo, movement-based offense fits Davis like a glove. He thrives in transition and in structured chaos—cutting, slashing, and finding soft spots in opposing defenses. The Sooners also rely heavily on switchable defenders, which suits Davis’ ability to guard 1-through-4.
2. Immediate Impact
   Davis will enter Norman as a projected starter. With several key departures from last season’s roster, there’s a glaring need for a versatile forward who can create offense and defend elite wings. Davis checks those boxes.
3. NBA Aspirations
   Davis’ long-term goal is to make it to the NBA. Oklahoma’s staff laid out a specific developmental plan, showing how players like Buddy Hield and Austin Reaves leveraged the Sooners platform into professional careers. Davis will have every opportunity to be featured and developed at a high level.
4. NIL Opportunities
   Though not the only factor, Oklahoma’s NIL collective reportedly presented a competitive package, offering Davis the chance to maximize his earning potential in a structured and sustainable way.

A Game-Changer for the Sooners

Oklahoma finished the 2024-25 season on the bubble, narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament despite a late push. While their guard play was respectable, their frontcourt lacked consistency and offensive punch. Davis changes that dynamic instantly.

His presence allows Oklahoma to deploy more creative lineups. He can slide into either forward spot, serve as a small-ball five in spurts, and defend multiple positions. Offensively, he gives them a secondary scorer who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make plays.

Expect Davis to be one of the focal points of the Sooners’ offense, especially in pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll scenarios. His improved midrange game and developing three-point shot could make him a 17+ point-per-game scorer in the Big 12.

Defensively, he brings elite length, anticipation, and rebounding instincts that will help the Sooners tighten up against top competition.

The Micah Shrewsberry Factor

Losing Davis is a blow for Notre Dame and coach Micah Shrewsberry, who had high hopes for building around the junior forward. But this development is also a testament to the progress Davis made under his coaching.

Shrewsberry’s system emphasized spacing, ball movement, and defensive accountability—all of which helped Davis grow into the player he is today. Though disappointed, Shrewsberry offered nothing but praise in a public statement, wishing Davis success and calling him “one of the hardest-working, most coachable players I’ve had.”

It’s a reminder that in today’s college basketball world, success often breeds movement.

The Bigger Picture

Davis’ commitment is part of a larger trend in college hoops: proven players opting for new opportunities where they can accelerate their development, capitalize on NIL, and compete at a high level. It’s also a reminder that the transfer portal is now the epicenter of roster building.

For Oklahoma, this commitment signifies momentum. After missing out on a few big names last year, the Sooners are now back in the mix nationally and are building what could be a dangerous Big 12 squad in 2025-26.

Davis’ arrival could also have a ripple effect, influencing other top transfers to look Oklahoma’s way.

What Davis Brings to the Table

Let’s break down Davis’ skillset:

• Scoring Versatility: Slashes to the rim, midrange pull-ups, improved three-point range.
• Defensive Switchability: Can guard wings and bigs, great recovery speed.
• Rebounding: Strong instincts, averages over 5 boards per game.
• Basketball IQ: Rarely forces plays, always makes the right rotation.
• Leadership: Vocal presence on the court, respected locker room figure.

This isn’t just a good pickup—this is a foundational one.

Expectations in Norman

With Davis now on board, the Sooners are projected to be a Top 25 team heading into the 2025-26 season. Analysts already see them as a potential second-weekend tournament team, especially if they can add one more key transfer or retain one of their draft-eligible guards.

Davis will be expected to produce immediately, both in the box score and in the film room. The spotlight will be brighter, the stakes higher, but if his growth at Notre Dame is any indication, he’s more than ready for it.

Final Thoughts

Tae Davis’ move to Oklahoma is more than just a headline—it’s a signal. It shows that the Sooners are serious about competing on the national stage. It confirms Davis’ status as one of the most coveted and complete forwards in the country. And it hints at a new era for both the player and the program.

What happens next? That’s up to Davis—and if recent history tells us anything, Sooners fans should be excited.