Mackenzie Alleyne: From WSU Bowl Game to Oklahoma Transfer Potential

Norman, Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Sooners football program has added Washington State University wide receiver Mackenzie Alleyne to their roster, the university confirmed on January 18, 2026. The transfer, announced via the team’s official Facebook page, brings a player with flashes of potential to a program aiming to build on a successful 2025 season.

Alleyne’s role with the Cougars wasn’t extensive, but he demonstrated his capabilities in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, logging three receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown in Washington State’s 34-21 victory over Utah State. This performance, coming at the end of the 2025 season, proved pivotal in showcasing his skillset.

Prior to that bowl game performance, Alleyne had only recorded one other reception all season – a nine-yard catch. However, Sam Taylor, a reporter covering Washington State for the Lewiston Tribune, believes his impact in the bowl game was significant. “I was impressed by his dependability and speed,” Taylor said. “Utah State wasn’t great, of course, but he made a difference.”

Alleyne initially joined Washington State in 2024 as a walk-on and did not see any playing time during his true freshman year. His path to Oklahoma is notably linked to the movement of coaches. He previously played under quarterback John Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle at Washington State, both of whom transitioned to Oklahoma following the 2024 season. Alleyne followed a year later, seeking to reunite with the offensive system he was familiar with.

Taylor suggests this familiarity will be a key asset for Alleyne at Oklahoma. “A reunion with Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer is huge,” Taylor stated. “He’s at least familiar with them, which should matter.”

As a redshirt freshman in 2025, Alleyne participated in 127 offensive snaps and 127 special teams snaps. His performance earned a 64.6 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) on offensive plays, with passing and run-blocking grades of 65 and 58.9 respectively. His longest reception, the 41-yard touchdown in the Potato Bowl, highlighted his athleticism and potential for big plays.

While acknowledging the difficulty in predicting Alleyne’s impact at a program of Oklahoma’s caliber, Taylor believes the touchdown reception demonstrated the receiver’s athletic capabilities. The Sooners are hoping to integrate Alleyne into an already potent offense.

Alleyne joins a growing list of transfer additions to the Oklahoma program, alongside wide receivers Trell Harris (from Virginia) and Parker Livingstone (from Texas). The influx of talent signals Oklahoma’s intent to bolster its receiving corps as it prepares for the 2026 season.

Oklahoma concluded the 2025 season with a 10-3 record, reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019. The team finished the regular season on a four-game winning streak against formidable opponents including Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU. The program will be looking to build on this momentum as they begin their 2026 campaign against UTEP on September 5, 2026.

Alleyne’s arrival represents a calculated move by the Sooners, adding a player with proven playmaking ability and a pre-existing rapport with key members of the coaching staff. While his collegiate statistics remain modest – just four career receptions – the hope in Norman is that a change of scenery and a familiar system will unlock his full potential.

The Sooners’ coaching staff will be keen to assess Alleyne’s development during spring practice and determine how best to utilize his skillset within their offensive scheme. His speed, as highlighted by Taylor, could prove to be a valuable asset in stretching defenses and creating opportunities for other receivers.

Despite his limited experience, Alleyne’s transfer represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition for Oklahoma. The Sooners are banking on his potential and the benefits of reuniting him with a quarterback and offensive coordinator he already knows well.