Oklahoma football: Strong O-line key to Sooners’ offensive success
By Chip Rouse
Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of articles previewing the Oklahoma football position groups for the 2021 college season.
You won’t see the members of the offensive line making headlines. But you also won’t see many teams sustaining a high level of success on offense without the outstanding play of the “big uglies,” up front, as former NFL head coach and broadcast analyst John Madden liked to call them.
Everything starts with the unsung warriors in the trenches on the front line and their collective ability to protect the quarterback on pass plays and open up running lanes for the guys exploding out of the backfield carrying the football.
Oklahoma has been blessed with one of the best offensive lines, not just in the Big 12 but in the country in recent seasons. A huge part of the credit for that belongs with offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, who is recognized as one of the best in the business recruiting and developing collegiate offensive linemen.
Three years ago, the Oklahoma won the Joe Moore Award, which recognizes the best offensive line in college football. Underscoring the dominant nature of that group, four members of the 2018 Sooner O-line were selected in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The one member of that award-winning Oklahoma offensive line that was still around for the 2020 season was center Creed Humphrey, an All-American selection and one of two starters the Sooners will need to replace off of last season’s offensive line unit.
Having to replace four starters, albeit with a lot of talented depth at the position waiting for their time, created some issues for the Sooners over the first half of last season as the new starters gained game experience and grew comfortable working together.
By season end in 2020, the OU offensive line, anchored by the All-American Humphrey, had become a leading force in the Sooners’ offensive productivity. The strength of the offensive line was in full display in Oklahoma’s blowout win over a very good Florida team in the postseason Cotton Bowl.
Oklahoma must replace two O-line starters heading into 2021 season
Although Humphrey and right tackle Adrian Ealy will not return, electing to declare for the NFL Draft, the Oklahoma offensive line returns three starters in 2021 and has fortified the unit with a pair of experienced transfers plus another transfer offensive lineman who will be back for his second season with the Sooners.
Returning starters for 2021 include seniors Erik Swenson, Tyrese Robinson and Marquis Hayes.
The big question facing the Oklahoma offensive line heading into the 2021 season is the replacement for Humphrey at center. At this time, it appears that former UCLA transfer Chris Murray is the favorite to win that job, although Robert Congel, a transfer from Arizona is also being looked at for that role if not at right guard.
Robinson and Hayes are the favorites to hold down the two guard spots, with Robinson at right guard and Hayes on the left side.
Left tackle is probably the most important position on the O-line because the player at that spot is the one most responsible for protecting quarterback Spencer Rattler’s blindside. Swenson and freshman Anton Harrison split time at left tackle last season, but Tennessee transfer Wanya Morris is expected to be the one manning the left tackle position this coming season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Morris, a junior this coming season, allowed just two sacks in 195 pass-blocking plays at Tennessee last season.
Swenson and Harrison will compete in the spring and fall practice camp for the starting role at right tackle.
Offensive line coach Bedenbaugh believes Harrison has the potential to be a truly great player. “That dude can be as good as anybody we’ve had here,” Bedenbaugh told The Oklahoman recently. “His talent level is off the charts.”
OU has good depth in the offensive line unit
Others on the depth chart who should see plenty of action in the offensive line rotation this season are sophomore Andrew Raym, redshirt freshman Stacey Wilkins, redshirt junior Brey Walker and true freshman Nate Anderson.
Raym saw action in nine games a year ago at left guard and on special teams. Wilkins is a tackle and may be the best bet to back up Morris on the left side. Walker has primarily been a right guard in the past but could move to tackle this season.
Anderson was a four-star recruit and an Under Armour All-American and rated the No. 2 offensive guard in the country in the 2019 class. He redshirted last season, but is someone to keep an eye on this coming season.