Corey "Scissorhands" Sutter cheers during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
The Sooner Schooner is pictured during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
The Sooner Schooner is pictured during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Oklahoma fans greet players during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
1/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Corey "Scissorhands" Sutter cheers during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
1/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Corey "Scissorhands" Sutter cheers during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
2/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
3/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
4/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
5/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
6/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
7/12
OU football fanfare: Cheerleaders, mascots, fans at games during 2026 season
The Sooner Schooner is pictured during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
8/12
OU football fanfare: Cheerleaders, mascots, fans at games during 2026 season
The Sooner Schooner is pictured during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
9/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Oklahoma fans greet players during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
10/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
11/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
12/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Attorney Jacob Diesselhorst said Thursday during the hearing that some players had roster spots being held for them at OU. But when pressed afterward, he couldn't say definitively if that was true.
Saili, who gained eligibility Thursday thanks to the TRO, recorded a tackle in the Sooners' season-opening win over UTEP. Now, it appears OU is getting more help.
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"(Saili getting in the game) was great," Sooners coach Brent Venables said postgame. "He's been with us for a couple of weeks, saw the field tonight, and he's remarkably picked up things really fast, but his experience really showed. That's one of the positions that we have really been concerned with just the overall depth. So, he's going to go and help us.
"We're not adding any players that signed a pro contract, and our university and athletics department have been in touch with the SEC frequently on this matter and what the conference rules are and things of that nature. So, we feel really good. We've vetted these players in great detail, and it's something we've had playing out for quite some time."
Colton Sulley covers theOklahoma Soonersfor The Oklahoman. Order "BOOM TIMES: TheOklahoma Sooners' Epic Charge to the 2026 College World Series Title" atSooners.ChampsBook.com. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
