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Oklahoma football: Five New Year’s priorities for Sooner football in 2022

By Chip Rouse

Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; A general view of the Capitol One and College Football Playoff (CFP) logo on the field during the Rose Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; A general view of the Capitol One and College Football Playoff (CFP) logo on the field during the Rose Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oklahoma Sooner quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs with the ball in the third quarter behind guard Tyresse Robinson (52) and tackle Erik Swenson (77) against the Baylor Bears in the 2019 Big 12 Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma Sooner quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs with the ball in the third quarter behind guard Tyresse Robinson (52) and tackle Erik Swenson (77) against the Baylor Bears in the 2019 Big 12 Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Replenish the offensive line

The Sooners lose two key pieces to an offensive line that largely disappointed in the 2021 season for all of it returning experience. Tackles Tyrese Robinson and Erik Swenson and guard Marquis Hayes have opted to declare for the NFL Draft. All three were multi-year starters on the OU offensive line and will have to be replaced in 2022.

Oklahoma ranked next to last in the Big 12 last season in sacks allowed. This is very atypical of a Bill Bedenbaugh-coached offensive line and is one of the areas that OU will look to correct going into the 2022 season.

Anton Harrison Jr. returns for his junior season after starting all 13 games last season at left tackle. Chris Murray, a former UCLA transfer is back for a super senior season after starting all 13 games a year ago, and Andrew Raym appears to have established himself at the center position.

McKade Mettauer, who transferred to OU this offseason from the University of California will likely man one of the guard positions along with Murray. Sophomore Savion Byrd, a former four-star recruit is projected to move into a starting spot at right tackle opposite Harrison.

Among the notable backups, keep an eye on Wanya Morris, a former Tennessee transfer and four-star 2022 recruit Jake Taylor. Former Arizona transfer Robert Congel will probably backup Raym at center

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