When OU once spurned Kendal Daniels in the high school recruiting process, Carmelita Daniels swore off her once beloved crimson and cream.
Saturday, though, Carmelita and Kerry Daniels will walk their son out on Owen Field with Sooner colors on, celebrating Kendal Daniels' career and his short time in Norman.
Kendal Daniels, an Oklahoma football defensive back, will be playing in his final regular-season game as a college player Saturday for the Sooners , as they take on LSU at 2:30 p.m. inside Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Daniels once had a scholarship offer from OU rescinded during his recruitment process out of high school roughly five years ago. Now, Daniels is a key piece to OU's defense, which is one of the best defenses in the country.
Daniels' mother, Carmelita Daniels, had to go against her lifetime fandom for the Sooners because of the Sooners' decision to pull the offer from Daniels, who was a standout at Beggs. During that time, OU coach Brent Venables tried to recruit Daniels to Clemson, which formed a tight bond between Venables and Daniels.
Carmelita Daniels never thought she would be walking Daniels on Senior Day in GFOMS, let alone wear the OU colors again.
"Absolutely no. No no no no no. Back to his senior year when OU pulled his offer, I had a bad taste in my mouth with OU, I'm not going to lie," Carmelita Daniels said. "I loved OU my whole life then they hurt my baby. You hurt me. Did I ever think? No. But when Brent went, that changed."
With OU's Senior Day commencing before its game against LSU, Daniels is relishing his last bit of time as a Sooner and as a college player, with the thought of family, team and future at the front of his mind.
Move to Norman: 'Best decision I've made in my life'
Daniels and Venables created a bond five years ago that played a vital part in Daniels staying in the state of Oklahoma for his final collegiate season.
That friendship between Daniels and Venables made it easier for Daniels and his family to move over to the Sooners, after four years with Bedlam rival Oklahoma State .
"I think the relationship between him and Brent Venables developed while he was recruited in high school," Carmelita Daniels said. "I think the relationship that he and Brent Venables have, played a lot into it because Brent Venables is an amazing guy and you can tell he loves his players and that's different. Kendal feels loved.
"He feels like his teammates care about him and they welcomed him with open arms. My baby is happy again. I haven't seen that in a few years."
Oklahoma Oklahoma St Football
Oklahoma State safety Kendal Daniels (5) celebrates in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Mitch Alcala)
Daniels experienced just about everything in Stillwater — conference championship games, losing seasons and battling through injuries.
After redshirting in 2021, he played in every game of his three-year starting career at Oklahoma State. He earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2022 and was a staple in the Cowboys' defense.
He played safety his first season, then transitioned to more of a hybrid role — much like his cheetah role at OU — playing a lot of linebacker in his final two seasons in Stillwater.
The Cowboys had one of their worst seasons last year, going 3-9 without a conference win, with Daniels still playing in each game. He entered the transfer portal, looking for a new place to finish his career. However, he didn't leave Oklahoma, going down I-35 to Norman.
He's now part of OU's defense where he's a starter on one of the nation's best units. A life-changing decision, he calls it.
"It's been everything. It's been the best decision I've made in my life up to this point," Daniels said. "I feel like it's prepared me — everything I've been through, I wouldn't change it, not one bit. I wouldn't change where I am right now. I wouldn't change where I started at or how it went. I'm right where I'm supposed to be, and I'm thankful for coach Venables and everybody reaching out to me and bringing me here."
Thriving as a Sooner: Short time, big impact
Daniels arrived at the start of 2025, but time has quickly pushed on. He has limited time left as a college athlete.
Daniels, though, has made the most of his opportunity to switch over to OU and stay in Oklahoma.
In his short time in Norman, he's become a staple. He's part of the team, almost like he's been a Sooner for much longer than 11 months.
"It's really pretty remarkable for a first-year guy to be able to do that," Venables said. "Haven't seen that a lot, leaving as an all-American, four-year starter, came here, somewhere not in the front of the line. And he endeared himself to his teammates through not having a whole lot to say. Embraced whatever role that we had him to do. Learned multiple positions. Busted his butt every single time he had an opportunity."
Mississippi Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
He's thriving on and off the field, making lifelong friendships and starting a family while being fourth in tackles on the stellar defense with 42.
Since his arrival, he's become engaged and he and his fiance are expecting a baby soon. He's also found his joy to play again and is raising his NFL draft stock in the process. It's all coming together for Daniels in Norman.
"He's a country kid, country boy. Very simple. Loves his family, his fiancé and his teammates. He's a really simple guy," Venables said. "Loves ball, really natural at it. He earned a lot of respect from his teammates by the way he handled the transition… He's going to play this game for a long time. He's had an outstanding year, but his emotion, energy, enthusiasm, friendships he's worked real hard to create — that's how he has impacted this team."
His fairly new teammates have always had high praise for Daniels and are not surprised of how much of an impact he's had in his time with the program.
Defensive lineman Gracen Halton said when Daniels was brought in, it was a natural fit because of how much he cared, much like the rest of the team.
"Really important. He's a baller," said OU defensive lineman Gracen Halton. "Once you have a baller come in that knows what he's doing and has a great personality, easy to connect with, easy to be around; That's always a guy you want in the locker room. I feel like he just came in and fit in naturally."
Pushing toward playoffs: Daniels' impact on CFP run
Daniels might finally get his chance to play in the College Football Playoff this season if the Sooners can beat LSU this weekend.
Daniels has been close to making the playoffs twice with the Cowboys, but fell short in both Big 12 Championship games to miss out on important postseason play.
This year, this is his best chance.
The Sooners are No. 8 heading into the final week of the regular season, which puts them firmly in the playoffs, though Daniels knows not to look forward to stuff after the LSU game because of his experiences with the Cowboys in those emotional losses in Arlington.
Kendal Daniels
Linebacker Kendal Daniels waves his hand in front of his face during the Oklahoma Sooners game against the Ole Miss Rebels Oct. 25 at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma. The Rebels defeated the Sooners 34-26.
He's using those experiences and helping the team understand to not look over Saturday's game.
"When you start looking forward to the Big 12 championships, you lose some games you shouldn't have," Daniels said. "Then you look back and you're like, 'Wow, I should've just been focused on that week.' and I'm cherishing these moments because it's my senior year, so time is my enemy right now. So, I'm just trying to take in the small things, practice hard, hard practices with the guys and just enjoy the time we have together."
With a chance at the playoffs on the line this weekend, Daniels will be wrapping up his regular-season college career, which he knows has to come to an end at some point.
He's wanting to make his limited time worth it and will work toward soaking up his final time as a college athlete with the Sooners.
"I'm not ready for it to end," Daniels said. "It kind of hurts and bittersweet, you know, we're maybe getting into the playoffs and everything at the end of the season, but it's like — time is my enemy… Yeah, it is (hard not to be emotional). It's my last year playing in Oklahoma, so it'll be bittersweet just because I grew up here, and I never lived anywhere else. It'll be fun Saturday to go out there and put on a show."
As his time comes to an end soon, Daniels can use those relationships he's built in Stillwater and Norman for life, especially with the one that might be longer than any other person he's connected with over the years.
"I don't see it as the end is coming up here soon, I don't see it that way. This is just the beginning. From a relationship standpoint," Venables said. "He's got family here forever. Relationships are forever. It's not conditional on how well you do or how long you're here. Once they leave, you're always going to be in their corner, supportive and staying in touch and things like that."
