Multiple reports have indicated that Curtis Lofton is moving up the food chain within the University of Oklahoma football program.

OUInsider reported via X (formerly Twitter) on Monday afternoon that Lofton is set to take on the role of general manager for the program.

Later Monday evening, Carey Murdock of Sooner-Scoop.com reported Lofton “will officially be assistant general manger.”

General manager is a new role in the college football realm, but the landscape is changing with the rise of Name-Image-Likeness (NIL).

Murdock said OU is following suit.

“OU is re-vamping the way they are doing everything, just like most schools have been doing,” he said in his report.

The role of a general manager or assistant general manager haven’t been defi ned, Murdock said.

He added that Lofton “won’t be heading up all the rosters decisions, such as who to offer and things of that nature.

“That will still be a coordinated effort by the staff and coaches.”

But, added, Murdock: “That doesn’t mean he won’t be carrying a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of football, roster building, NIL evaluation, etc.”

Lofton has been a member of the OU staff the last two years.

He was brought on by head coach Brent Venables to serve as director of SOUL Mission.

Standing for “Serving Our Uncommon Legacy,” the SOUL Mission was brought to OU by Venables when he was hired prior to the 2022 season.

It’s an in-house program that hires former players like Lofton and Caleb Kelly to mentor the current players.

They work with the players on lives outside of athletics, focusing on life skills, professional and career development and community engagement.

It was also reported Monday that OU’s director of player personnel and recruiting, J.R. Sandlin, was leaving his position to become an assistant athletic director and general manager at Southern Methodist University.

That move and Lofton’s apparent job title change are related, Murdock said.

“This is something that’s long been discussed,” he said. And long-wanted from inside the coaching offices.”

Murdock added there is a big hurdle in naming Lofton to the role of general manager and was told “the logistics of this whole situation have not been worked out.”

The NCAA does not allow university employees to be directly involved with NIL, which is a big part of the GM role.

A third-party has to work with student-athletes and the university on those deals.

“They don’t know how to legally get it done at this juncture with Curtis being a university employee,” Murdock reported. “Actually, it can’t be done at this point in time.”

Murdock added the rule could be changed in the future, whether the NCAA does so on its own free will or is forced via lawsuit.

“So stay tuned. This could happen, but right now, there are a lot of things to work through to get it done,” Murdock said.

“Now, if the NCAA just backed down and said uni- versities can help arrange NIL activities, Curtis would be in that role tomorrow.”

Lofton told the Times & Free Press he couldn’t comment on the reports at this time.

A 2005 Kingfisher High School graduate, Lofton helped lead the Yellowjackets to their first football state championship as a junior in 2003.

He was named a Parade All-American and Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State selection during his senior season in 2004.

He also earned All-State in basketball.

Lofton then went on to an All-American career as a linebacker at the University of Oklahoma.

Venables served as his position coach for the Sooners.

His collegiate career culminated in 2007 when he totaled 157 tackles, three interceptions, 10 tackles for loss and a sack.

He was named the Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American.

Lofton left OU after his junior year and entered the NFL Draft. He was selected in the second round and 37th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 draft.

His eight-year career saw him play four years with the Falcons, three for the New Orleans Saints and one for Oakland.

He totaled 949 career tackles before retiring in September 2017.

His post-NFL career prior to and during his stint with OU football has included motivational speaking.

Lofton was the keynote speaker at the 2021 Kingfsher Chamber of Commerce Banquet.