Oklahoma Sooners 2025 Position Preview: Offensive Line Will Be the Deciding Factor in Team’s College Football Playoff Push

The countdown to the 2025 college football season has officially begun, and all eyes in Norman, Oklahoma, are fixed on what will unfold in Brent Venables’ most pivotal year yet as the Sooners enter a new era of expectations. With quarterback Jackson Arnold ready to take full control of the offense, and an influx of skill talent on both sides of the ball, Oklahoma’s season outlook has the potential to reach championship levels — but only if one unit steps up and fulfills its potential: the offensive line.

There’s no denying it — the offensive line is the foundation upon which Oklahoma’s season will either stand strong or crumble. As the Sooners transition fully into life in the SEC, where the line of scrimmage determines success more than ever, their trench warriors must not only hold their own — they must dominate. Venables and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell know this, and they’ve built the 2025 offensive game plan accordingly.

The Sooners’ offensive line enters the season with a mix of veteran leadership, transfer additions, and promising young talent — but also more questions than any other position group on the roster. This fall camp will be a proving ground for cohesion, toughness, and identity up front. In a league where controlling the line of scrimmage is king, Oklahoma’s playoff hopes hang on five men in the trenches more than any star quarterback or flashy receiver.

Last year’s offensive line was a rollercoaster, at times providing solid protection and rushing lanes, and at other times struggling with inconsistency and penalties in critical moments. The departure of key contributors like Andrew Raym and McKade Mettauer left vacancies that will need to be filled quickly and effectively.

That starts with the returning anchor: left tackle Jacob Sexton. A former highly touted recruit, Sexton has the size (6-foot-6, 320 pounds), athleticism, and experience to lock down Arnold’s blindside. He showed flashes of brilliance in 2024 and is expected to be the steadying force up front this fall. If Sexton can take another leap in his development, he could find himself in early-round NFL Draft conversations by December.

Next to him, things get a bit murkier. The Sooners brought in several high-level transfers to bolster the line’s depth and competition, headlined by former Alabama guard Jaeden Roberts and Wyoming’s Frank Crum. Roberts brings SEC experience and a mean streak, while Crum offers versatility and length with over 30 career starts under his belt. Their transition and ability to communicate and adapt to the Sooners’ offensive tempo will be key.

Center is arguably the most critical position on the offensive line, and Oklahoma may turn to sophomore Troy Everett to fill that void. Everett, who transferred in from Appalachian State in 2023, saw limited snaps last year but was praised for his intelligence and work ethic in practice. He’ll need to command the line, make pre-snap reads, and develop a quick rapport with Arnold in order to maintain offensive rhythm.

The right side of the line might be the most physically imposing part of the unit. Sophomore Cayden Green, who saw playing time as a freshman, is expected to slide into the right guard position. Green is a mauler in the run game and has the kind of upside that coaches salivate over. At right tackle, look for Stanford transfer Fisher Anderson to emerge. Anderson was one of the most technically sound linemen in the Pac-12 and brings over 20 games of starting experience to Norman.

Behind the projected starting five, depth will be tested early and often. Injuries are an inevitability in the SEC, and the Sooners will need young reserves like Jake Taylor and Nate Anderson to be game-ready. Fortunately, offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, one of the best in the business, has proven time and again that he can develop talent and have his group peaking by midseason.

Still, even with talent and coaching, success up front won’t come without chemistry — something that has eluded Oklahoma’s offensive lines in recent years. Continuity is the secret sauce for elite lines, and the Sooners haven’t had it. Injuries, transfers, and coaching changes have kept the unit in flux. If this group can stay healthy and build trust through August, it could become a strength rather than a liability.

And that would have massive implications. With a strong line, the Sooners can fully unlock the potential of Jackson Arnold, one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country. It will allow Arnold to go through his progressions with confidence, avoid taking unnecessary hits, and use his legs when needed without running for his life. A well-protected Arnold is a Heisman-level threat.

It will also open things up for Oklahoma’s stable of running backs, led by Gavin Sawchuk and Kalib Hicks. Sawchuk is an explosive home-run hitter, but he needs lanes to burst through. A line that wins early in downs will allow the Sooners to dictate pace, keep the offense balanced, and wear down opposing defenses over four quarters.

There’s also a psychological factor at play. Teams that dominate up front send a message. They control tempo. They win time of possession. They impose their will. If Oklahoma can do that in matchups against SEC foes like Alabama, LSU, and Georgia, it will signify that the Sooners have officially completed their evolution into an SEC-style team, capable of winning not just with speed and finesse, but with strength and grit.

This year’s SEC schedule will provide plenty of tests for the offensive line. In Week 3, the Sooners travel to Knoxville to face a Tennessee defense that thrives on chaos. Later in the season, games against Texas, Ole Miss, and Florida loom large. Each of those teams brings pressure in unique ways, and Oklahoma’s ability to protect Arnold and establish the run will dictate outcomes.

It’s easy to get caught up in the flash of modern offenses, but Venables knows better than anyone that championships are won in the trenches. That’s why he’s made the offensive line a top priority. From recruiting blue-chip talent to bringing in seasoned transfers, the Sooners have built a unit capable of competing with the SEC’s best — but now it’s about execution, consistency, and staying healthy.

The good news? The building blocks are there. The question is whether the 2025 line can gel quickly, stay cohesive through adversity, and rise to the moment when the season is on the line. Because make no mistake: Oklahoma’s College Football Playoff dreams rest squarely on the shoulders of its offensive line. If they succeed, the Sooners could be on the doorstep of a national title. If they falter, 2025 could be a year of what-ifs and missed opportunity.

There’s pressure, yes — but also opportunity. For a program looking to prove it belongs in the SEC’s upper echelon, this offensive line has the chance to be the difference-maker. And if everything clicks, Oklahoma could emerge as one of the most balanced and dangerous teams in the country. It all starts — and ends — in the trenches.