Oklahoma Sooners Set for Fierce Offensive Line Competition as Brent Venables Shapes Starting Five Ahead of 2025 Season Kickoff
The Oklahoma Sooners head into the 2025 season with heightened expectations and a renewed sense of urgency under third-year head coach Brent Venables. As the program transitions into its SEC era, one of the most closely scrutinized areas of the team this offseason is the offensive line—a unit that has historically been a cornerstone of Oklahoma football success. Following an offseason of departures, additions, and evolving talent, position battles are expected to rage well into fall camp, as coaches search for the right mix of toughness, technique, and chemistry up front.
The Sooners lost multiple key contributors from last year’s group, most notably All-Big 12 tackle Tyler Guyton, who declared for the NFL Draft, and veteran interior linemen Andrew Raym and McKade Mettauer. These departures created immediate opportunities across the board, and Oklahoma was aggressive in both the transfer portal and recruiting trail to replenish the depth chart. Yet, despite those additions, the coaching staff has been adamant that no position is guaranteed—every spot on the line will have to be earned.
Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, who enters his 12th season at OU, is once again tasked with molding a new-look group into one of the most cohesive and dominant units in the SEC. Known for his ability to develop talent and identify unheralded prospects, Bedenbaugh has a unique challenge this year: sorting through a blend of youth, returning experience, and high-upside newcomers, both freshmen and transfers. With several players possessing positional flexibility, versatility will play a key role in determining the eventual starting five.
The battle at left tackle, a critical position for protecting new quarterback Jackson Arnold, is expected to be one of the fiercest competitions in camp. Sophomore Jake Taylor, who saw action at guard last season, has reportedly bulked up and is being tested on the outside. He faces strong competition from Stanford transfer Walter Rouse, who brings 40+ starts of experience and a reputation as a reliable pass protector. Rouse, returning for a super senior season, delayed NFL dreams to be a part of Oklahoma’s transition to the SEC and adds leadership to a relatively young room.
At left guard, redshirt freshman Cayden Green, a former high four-star recruit, enters the fall with momentum. Green has impressed during spring practices with his powerful base and quick feet, but he’ll need to outduel returning lineman Savion Byrd, a former top-100 prospect with flashes of brilliance yet bouts of inconsistency. Byrd, now entering his junior season, has all the tools to lock down the position but must improve his mental discipline and technique to take the next step.
The center position, long manned by Raym, is wide open. Bedenbaugh and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell have emphasized the importance of strong communication and mental acumen at this position, especially with Arnold stepping into the starting quarterback role. Redshirt sophomore Troy Everett, a transfer from Appalachian State, has emerged as a leading contender. Known for his high football IQ and aggressive style, Everett earned valuable snaps last season and is being groomed for the role. True freshman Josh Aisosa is also turning heads in workouts, but it may be too early to throw him into the fire.
Right guard is perhaps the most stable position at the moment, with junior Nate Anderson expected to hold down the starting job. Anderson started 10 games last year and has grown into a reliable run blocker with improving pass protection skills. While he’s far from guaranteed the spot, his familiarity with the system and trust from coaches give him a slight edge entering camp. That said, keep an eye on incoming freshman Eugene Brooks, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound mauler who could push for playing time if he adapts quickly to the speed of college football.
Right tackle will be another position that draws heavy interest. With Guyton gone, the Sooners need someone who can anchor the edge and handle the elite pass rushers of the SEC. Sophomore Jacob Sexton, who missed time with injury last season, is back and looking to claim the spot. A former blue-chip recruit with great size and length, Sexton has the tools but needs to show consistency. Competing with him is USC transfer Jason Zandamela, an athletic and physical presence who provides a different body type and could slide inside if needed.
Beyond the starting five, depth will be critical. The SEC gauntlet is unforgiving, and injuries are inevitable. Oklahoma has taken steps to ensure better second-string options than in years past. Redshirt sophomore Aaryn Parks is a swing tackle option who can fill in on either side. Redshirt freshman Heath Ozaeta continues to develop and may see time if progress continues. At guard, true freshman Isendre Ahfua, one of the top-rated interior linemen in the 2025 class, is an intriguing name who may crack the two-deep with a strong camp showing.
The Sooners’ offensive identity in 2025 is expected to revolve around a balanced attack, with Jackson Arnold’s dual-threat capabilities complementing a deep running back room. That system will only flourish if the offensive line does its job—opening lanes in the run game and keeping Arnold upright. With no proven stars returning, the unit’s performance will hinge on how well Bedenbaugh can shape raw potential into reliable production.
One of the most encouraging signs from spring was the increased emphasis on physicality and conditioning. The offensive line, which at times was outmatched by elite defensive fronts last season, has focused heavily on strength and endurance during the offseason. That effort was apparent during Oklahoma’s spring game, where several younger players held their own against a veteran defensive line. The improvements in technique, hand placement, and footwork were noticeable, though consistency remains a top priority.
Leadership is another critical aspect that will help define the group. With several upperclassmen gone, players like Rouse, Anderson, and Everett are being looked at to set the tone in the locker room and on the field. Their ability to mentor younger linemen and maintain high standards during camp will be crucial, particularly as the team prepares for an SEC schedule that includes matchups with Alabama, Texas A&M, and Tennessee.
It’s also worth noting the philosophical shift brought on by offensive coordinator Seth Littrell and offensive line assistant Matt Holecek, who have emphasized quicker decision-making, wider zone concepts, and a higher tempo. That change places greater responsibility on linemen to be agile and mentally sharp, particularly in pre-snap recognition and in executing combo blocks. The transition may take some time, but the long-term potential of the system is enormous if the line gels in time for the season opener.
Fall camp will be pivotal in determining not just who starts but how well this unit can function as a group. Chemistry takes time to develop, especially when several players are shifting positions or adjusting to a new system. Coaches are confident that with the competition heating up, the cream will rise to the top. No one is being handed a role, and every rep in practice will count.
Ultimately, Oklahoma’s success in 2025 may hinge on this offensive line’s ability to grow up fast and come together. The talent is present, and the coaching is as good as anywhere in the country. But talent alone doesn’t win games in the SEC. Physicality, execution, and discipline will be required in spades. If the Sooners can emerge from fall camp with a cohesive unit, they’ll have the foundation needed to support a breakout season from Jackson Arnold and a deep run in their first year in college football’s toughest conference.
As August draws near, all eyes in Norman are fixed on the trenches. The battles will be intense, the decisions difficult, but the rewards—potentially program-defining. Brent Venables and Bill Bedenbaugh wouldn’t have it any other way.
