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Ten Most Indispensable Oklahoma Football Players in 2016

By Chip Rouse

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA;Clemson Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners line up in the first quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA;Clemson Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners line up in the first quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) drops back to pass as guard Jonathan Alvarez (68) blocks against the Clemson Tigersin the first quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) drops back to pass as guard Jonathan Alvarez (68) blocks against the Clemson Tigersin the first quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Junior Offensive Lineman Jonathan Alvarez

Another returning offensive lineman from a year ago is Jonathan Alvarez. Alvarez is a natural center and was recruited at that position, but he started nine games last season at the left guard position along side Orlando Brown.

With the departure of center Ty Darlington, it was thought Alvarez would slide over to play center, but now it looks more like he will be back at guard to start the 2016 season.

Alvarez was a two-star prospect out of high school in Mesquite, Texas. Sooner offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh like what he saw from Alvarez enough to offer him a scholarship. So far, the 6-foot, 3-inch, 308-pound Alvarez has lived up to what Bedenbaugh saw in him, and he has become one of the leaders on what is considered to be a very good offensive-line unit.

Whichever position Alvarez lines up in on the Sooner O-line, he is expected to make a strong contribution.

It will be pretty easy to measure what kind of impact Alvarez, Brown and the other Oklahoma offensive lineman are having by how well protected Baker Mayfield is and how well the Sooner running game is working.

Next: The Sooners' Last Line of Defense Is a Good One With Steven Parker Playing Center Field

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