If you’re an Oklahoma Sooners football fan, you’ve been hearing about it all offseason. Can the offensive line play well enough together to survive the first year in the competitive SEC? Will the advent of the transfer portal and the young players aid or hinder OU’s chances of qualifying for the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff?
OK, on paper, looks quite nice elsewhere on the roster. OU fans have been eagerly awaiting Jackson Arnold’s arrival as the team’s quarterback for a very long time. Yes, Arnold lacks experience, but everyone who has watched him play can see his talent and potential.
At wide receiver, the Sooners have no less than five players that supporters would bet their bottom dollar to be on the field when things got very tight.
Leading rusher Gavin Sawchuk is back, therefore the running back position is strong. The backfield’s health will be crucial, but they should have the talent to finish the job.
Although there is a lot of experience at most of the starting positions and a lot of youthful talent behind the starters, the secondary is another position that needs to remain healthy. Security With Billy Bowman returning, the defensive backfield is stronger.
Danny Stutsman and the linebacker group provide another strength. Nearly every important player from the previous season is returned, and they finish with a back seven that some consider to be among the best in the conference.
Although there are some concerns about the defensive line, Ethan Downs is back to lead the defense in the trenches. Despite their best efforts, Oklahoma has not been able to replicate the experience, talent, or depth that they lost to graduation, the NFL, or the gateway. Damonic Williams, a transfer from TCU, committed, which was a significant victory in the spring portal window. Under Brent Venables’ vision and identity for the program, he helps solidify one of the most crucial spots on the squad.
There are other areas of concern for the Sooners. The tight end still requires organization. The special teams are in the same boat. In his first season as head coach in Norman, Brent Venables is acclimating new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Joe Jon Finley and Seth Littrell are internal promotions who now head the offense, with Zac Alley coming over from Jacksonville State to oversee the defense.
Aside with OU’s difficult schedule in 2024’s run to the SEC, the main topic of conversation this offseason has been that offensive line. It’s one of the most important position groupings on any football team, and Oklahoma had to replace the whole group after the previous season. For the Sooners, the o-line’s performance has the potential to make or break 2024.
Following SEC media days, J.D. PicKell, On3’s college football specialist, discussed Venables and the Sooners on his show, “The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell.” He demonstrated the significance of a single position group for the Oklahoma offense and the squad as a whole:
As you bring in essentially a completely new offensive line, PicKell stated, “I think the most important thing we all have to ask right now is can they protect Jackson Arnold.” “I now adore Bill Bedenbaugh, the offensive line coach. I believe he can make the most of whatever unit they have available; I have faith in him. However, in the SEC, it’s a whole different animal entirely if you can’t shield Jackson Arnold; in the Big 12, that’s one thing.
Along with outlining a strategy for early success, PicKell said that Arnold is not solely to blame if the young quarterback suffers in the first few games of the season.
Therefore, PicKell advised, “making sure we assess the background for Jackson Arnold if he suffers early in the year.” “Make sure we’re evaluating the amount of time he has to deliver the ball and what he’s getting on that offensive line.” They have, in my opinion, one of the most slept-on wide receiver rooms in the entire country, provided they can shield Jackson Arnold and allow him the opportunity to read the defense and feel secure in the pocket. I will reiterate. Farooq Jalil, Deion Burks… Nic Anderson is my favorite. I think all those components make it extremely tough for the defense to give all those weapons the attention they need because I adore Andrel Anthony when he’s healthy.
The offensive line’s ability to create rushing lanes will, according to PicKell, assist relieve some of Arnold’s pressure and increase the variety of OU’s offensive options. In addition, he emphasized Oklahoma’s defense’s return to prominence and made the prediction that the Sooners would play in a few more low-scoring games that Norman supporters are accustomed to.
In other words, Oklahoma’s offensive line might be the difference between the Sooners winning in 2024 and losing. The season is drawing near, and Bedenbaugh will hold fall camp to prepare his team to work as a cohesive one and compete in the SEC. The real test of whether OU is a “SEC-ready” program would come from the Sooners’ ability to overcome an inferior position on the roster—perhaps wide receiver or the defensive back seven—by outperforming those players.
In fewer than six weeks, the 2024 Oklahoma Sooners will kick up their season. On Friday, August 30 at 6:00 p.m., they’ll play host to the Temple Owls on ESPN.
To keep up with our continuing coverage of Oklahoma news, observations, and opinions, like our page on Facebook and get in touch with us at @SoonersWire on X. Aaron is also accessible on X @AaronGelvin.
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“Bold Move: Brent Venables Declares ‘Oklahoma Isn’t Intimidated… We’re Charging Towards the SEC’ – Sparks Massive Attention!”……
During Oklahoma’s inaugural SEC Media Days, head coach Brent Venables expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming challenge and the chance to play in the top league in college football when addressing the media.
Three important members of this year’s Oklahoma squad, QB Jackson Arnold, senior leaders LB Danny Stutsman and S Billy Bowman, joined Venables on stage. During his opening remarks to the reporters’ interview, Venables expressed his excitement for what he calls “Team 130” and the team’s direction and development since January. However, he also said that continuing to improve will require a lot of work over the next weeks and during the season.
The Sooner head coach remarked, “We’ve got a terrific balance of both experience and an amazing foundation of young.” According to Venables, OU has 52 scholarship players who are either freshmen or sophomores on the roster, and about 24 players who are in their third or fourth year as starters.
He went on, “As a football program, we are genuinely looking forward to the challenge. It goes without saying that the SEC is a deep, tremendously competitive league unlike any other in college football.”
When asked what he expects from Jackson Arnold as a rookie starting quarterback, Venables responded that Arnold has the toughness, instincts, skill, and arm talent to be an excellent quarterback. What Venables likes best about Arnold is that he can handle the highs and lows, challenges, successes, and failures that a season will bring.
People are at their best when they are around Arnold. He’s ready for his chance and his time, no doubt about it,” Venables stated.
When asked how prepared coach thought his Oklahoma squad was to face the SEC, Venables responded. “Oklahoma is a competitive football program that doesn’t back down. The head coach of OU declared, “We’re heading towards the SEC.”
“We’ve been anticipating this collaboration for a few years, to be a part of the greatest league in college football.”
Brent Venables, during the SEC Media Days
One question that has come up in every interview over the first two days of SEC Media Days has been about the conference’s potential effects from Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC. When asked what that meant about the two former Big 12 schools, Venables responded.
According to Venables, “It’s a cooperation of the elite with elite.” He continued, “These are two programs that, in the annals of college football, are second to none.” And nobody gives the SEC any priority.
Click here to view the full transcript of Brent Venables’s SEC Media Days press conference.
Venables spoke separately with beat journalists covering the Sooners and gave numerous OU players an update on their injuries before taking the stage to speak to media covering the SEC.
Wide receiver Andrel Anthony has been recovering from an ACL tear he suffered during OU’s victory over Texas in the previous season. Although Anthony has had a nice summer, according to Venables, he is still not quite cleared. “I think he will be able to participate in practice before the first game, and we’re hopeful about that,” Venables stated.
Rehab for WR Jalil Farooq’s fractured foot has been ongoing. According to Venables, he is doing well, although foot injuries are difficult to treat. The Sooners are optimistic that Farooq will be ready for the first game of the season.
Casey Thompson, the backup quarterback who transferred to Oklahoma this offseason, tore his ACL early in the previous season while playing for Florida Atlantic. However, he has recovered completely and is free to play.
Cornerback Gentry Williams, who had surgery to repair a ruptured labrum, is also back and fully functional. He was not allowed to practice in the spring, but he can return for the fall training camp.
Washington transfer Geirean Hatchett has been rehabbing this offseason from a lower leg injury, adding to the already concerning circumstances surrounding OU’s rebuilding offensive line. That’s good news, though, because Hatchell has been free of any restrictions for about a month. According to Venables, center Troy Everett is recovering faster than expected from a knee injury he sustained at the conclusion of spring practice in March. Though the medical staff believed Everett would miss the season opener at the end of May, there is now more hope for his comeback a few weeks before preseason training camp begins.
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