Oklahoma football: Who are Sooners’ 10 best players at midpoint of 2023 season?
By Chip Rouse
![Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders hold up megaphones during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders hold up megaphones during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b76e07427f6e05bb0eb25905376bce313ace3ea903b5957b62e4eb97a832e0c7.jpg)
8. Redshirt-senior offensive tackle Walter Rouse
Stanford transfer Walter Rouse has been a giant addition to the Oklahoma offensive line this season. The Sooners lost three O-line starters from a year ago, but Rouse provided valuable experience as OU integrated in new starters this season. The Sooners lead the Big 12 in passing and rank second in total offense, averaging over 500 yards per game, in large part because of Rouse and the OU offensive line. QB Dillion Gabriel has been kept fairly clean this season and has been sacked just five times in six games, tied for 14th fewest among FBS teams. Rouse’s presence has been a huge part of that.