Texas Football: 3 transfer landing spots for LB Ovie Oghoufo

Vanderbilt

The only Power Five destination mentioned on this list for Oghoufo out of the portal also includes a past connection with a D1 coach for the Michigan native.

This intriguing coaching connection for Oghoufo can be found with second-year head coach Clark Lea and the Vanderbilt Commodores in the SEC East. Oghoufo was recruited by Lea when the Vandy head coach was serving as linebackers coach in 2017 and then the defensive coordinator from 2018-2020.

Lea was one of the recruiters spearheading Notre Dame’s efforts with Oghoufo on the recruiting trail in the 2018 class. He was also on Notre Dame’s staff for every single season that Oghoufo played for the Irish (2018-2020).

And then, once Lea left to take the Vandy job, I don’t know how much of a coincidence it was that Oghoufo entered the portal during the 2021 offseason. From past interviews and social media posts, it’s pretty clear to see that Oghoufo fully bought into the potential he could have in Lea’s defense at Notre Dame.

Now with the possible opportunity to play for Lea at Vanderbilt, it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if this past connection was brought back to light. It just makes too much sense for Oghoufo to get one last run under Lea.

The main question with this fit would be whether Oghoufo wants to play for a Vanderbilt defense that was one of the worst in the FBS during the 2022 season. Vanderbilt gave up 36.0 points per game in 2022, good for 125th in the FBS.

At least the opportunity would likely be there for Oghoufo to make an early impact to help improve that Vandy defensive front in 2023.