Oklahoma lands Notre Dame grad transfer DL Jay Hayes

It was a big weekend in Norman, Oklahoma.

The Sooners unveiled a statue of Bob Stoops before playing their annual spring game. On top of that, Oklahoma picked up a whopping six commitments — four in the class of 2019, one in the class of 2020, and one from Jay Hayes, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame.

Hayes, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman, started 13 games in 2017 at strongside defensive end for the Fighting Irish, compiling 27 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery. After news of Hayes’ transfer became public, Irish head coach Brian Kelly said Khalid Kareem had moved ahead of Hayes on the depth chart during spring practice.

When announcing his departure from Notre Dame, Hayes said he was on track to graduate in May. From there, he would be immediately eligible to compete for the Sooners. Once he arrives in Norman, Hayes will be one of several players looking to fill the void left behind by starters Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and D.J. Ward, both of whom were seniors in 2017.

OU, on the heels of a 12-2 record in 2017, opens the 2018 slate at home against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 1.

– – – – – – –

Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper

More from Yahoo Sports:

• Sources: Spurs star to miss rest of playoffs
• Eagles cut cornerback hours after he was tasered, arrested
• Sources: Big Baller Brand in talks with NBA player not named Lonzo
• Pacers stun LeBron and the Cavs in Game 1