Oklahoma offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh had no choice but to find help in the transfer portal for his position group, and now some help is finally on the way.
Former Stanford offensive tackle Luke Baklenko on Monday announced via social media that he has committed to the Sooners with two years of eligibility left. Baklenko was the Sooners' second addition from the portal and first on the offensive side of the ball, where they need the most help.
One thing for certain, Baklenko at least brings some of the experience that OU's offensive linemen are missing. OU finished this season with two true freshmen starting on the left side of the line. As for reserves on the O-line, five were freshmen.
The offensive line certainly improved with freshmen Logan Howland and Heath Ozaeta starting on the left side, but the two youngsters were proof of the value of experience after struggling to hold their own early in the season.
Combined, Howland and Ozaeta have 11 starts, while Baklenko has 14 on his own in two seasons. And all of Baklenko's experience has come at the Power 4 level in two different conferences with Stanford switching from the Pac-12 to the ACC this year.
Baklenko also has the size to compete in the SEC, listed at 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds.
That combonation of size and experience is why Baklenko should be able to immediately help the Sooners with their biggest struggle this season: pass blocking. Only two other teams in all of FBS allowed more sacks than OU during the regular season.
Baklenko gave up only four sacks in 380 pass block attempts this season, according to Pro Football Focus. That's a 95% success rate.
As for where Baklenko will plug into, he will likely immediately find a starting role at right tackle. That spot was a revolving door for the Sooners this season between Michael Tarquin, Jake Taylor and Spencer Brown.