A former five-star recruit from Oklahoma is gearing up for another chapter in his college football journey. Trejan Bridges, who was a standout in the Sooners’ celebrated 2019 recruiting class, took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to announce his decision to enter the transfer portal, effective April 16. His message hinted at the excitement that lies ahead: “Ready to see what opportunities unfold! #GodSpeed.”
Bridges first made waves at Oklahoma alongside fellow elite recruits, including wide receivers Theo Wease and Jadon Haselwood, and quarterback Spencer Rattler. However, his tenure in Norman took a challenging turn in May 2021 when he faced serious legal issues, including robbery and battery charges stemming from an incident involving a local drug dealer. This incident led to the dismissal of Bridges and another teammate, Mikey Henderson, from the team by former head coach Lincoln Riley, who would eventually make his own move to USC.
In the wake of these challenges, Bridges shifted his focus, ultimately accepting a plea deal that allowed him to admit guilt to a lesser charge, while the more serious allegations were dropped. After a couple of seasons at Oklahoma, he found new life at East Los Angeles College, displaying his skills on the field with impressive statistics: 762 receiving yards and eight touchdowns over 11 games in the 2022 season.
His path didn’t stop there. Bridges made a commitment to Utah out of junior college but eventually transferred to Central Arkansas, where he took the field last season. There, he made an impact as the leading receiver for the team, recording 53 catches for 729 yards and six touchdowns. His determination shines through in his social media posts, where he expresses gratitude and acknowledges the role of faith in his journey: “All Glory Goes To God! 🧎🏾♂️ W/ out you, I’m nothing! #GodSpeed.”
Despite his tumultuous past at Oklahoma, which included battling injuries and inconsistency—where he caught just nine passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games—the talent that once earned him a five-star rating is still evident. His journey also included a brief stint on defense at safety and a suspension prior to the Peach Bowl for a positive drug test.
As Bridges embarks on this new phase, it’s clear that he’s motivated to write a new narrative for himself in the world of college football. Both Bridges and Mikey Henderson, who has found success at Tarleton State, are just two examples of athletes navigating their way through adversity and striving for redemption in their careers. Meanwhile, Seth McGowan continues to make strides, having recorded over 800 rushing yards at New Mexico State last season. All eyes will be on Bridges as he pursues new opportunities that lie ahead.
