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The Oklahoma Sooners ended up with a youth movement along the offensive line in 2025. Injuries opened the door for players to earn time, and others found their way into the starting lineup throughout the season. By the end of the season, the Sooners were starting true freshmen Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje and redshirt freshman Eddy Pierre-Louis. What they end up doing in the transfer portal will largely depend on how comfortable they feel with the depth chart projection in 2026.
Although center Jake Maikkula missed the last two games of the season due to an infection, he became the starting center when Troy Everett went down and is expected to return. Barring anything unforeseen, the Sooners will return four of their five starters from much of the 2025 season for next year.
Oklahoma will also return Logan Howland and Heath Ozaeta a pair of players who have started games for the Sooners over the last two seasons. Luke Baklenko, who transferred in from Stanford, has starting experience, even if he didn't play a lot for Oklahoma this year.
So what could the offensive line depth chart look like prior to the transfer portal opening?
Even if Oklahoma didn't add someone in the transfer portal along the offensive line, that depth chart is pretty solid. And there's something to be said for continuity. Deacon Schmitt will be a true freshman who many believe could compete for a starting spot at either guard or tackle.
However, Oklahoma hasn't been shy about adding veterans to compete. They've been doing it for years, whether it was Chris Murray, McKade Mettauer, Walter Rouse, Febechi Nwaiwu, or Derek Simmons.
Oklahoma has to get stronger and more explosive, and that can happen in the training room. The Sooners could look at the portal in the same way they did at cornerback last year. If there's not an obvious upgrade that makes sense to them, the front office and coaching staff could look to stand pat with what they have and prioritize their portal spending elsewhere.
It'll be interesting to see what they look to do in the transfer portal, but the need along the offensive line may not be as dire as it seems.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Sooners may not need to pursue offensive line in the transfer portal
Continue reading...
Although center Jake Maikkula missed the last two games of the season due to an infection, he became the starting center when Troy Everett went down and is expected to return. Barring anything unforeseen, the Sooners will return four of their five starters from much of the 2025 season for next year.
Oklahoma will also return Logan Howland and Heath Ozaeta a pair of players who have started games for the Sooners over the last two seasons. Luke Baklenko, who transferred in from Stanford, has starting experience, even if he didn't play a lot for Oklahoma this year.
So what could the offensive line depth chart look like prior to the transfer portal opening?
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Left Tackle | Michael Fasusi | Logan Howland |
| Left Guard | Eddy Pierre-Louis | Daniel Akinkunmi |
| Center | Jake Maikkula | Gunnar Allen |
| Right Guard | Heath Ozaeta | Deacon Schmitt |
| Right Tackle | Ryan Fodje | Luke Baklenko |
Even if Oklahoma didn't add someone in the transfer portal along the offensive line, that depth chart is pretty solid. And there's something to be said for continuity. Deacon Schmitt will be a true freshman who many believe could compete for a starting spot at either guard or tackle.
However, Oklahoma hasn't been shy about adding veterans to compete. They've been doing it for years, whether it was Chris Murray, McKade Mettauer, Walter Rouse, Febechi Nwaiwu, or Derek Simmons.
Oklahoma has to get stronger and more explosive, and that can happen in the training room. The Sooners could look at the portal in the same way they did at cornerback last year. If there's not an obvious upgrade that makes sense to them, the front office and coaching staff could look to stand pat with what they have and prioritize their portal spending elsewhere.
It'll be interesting to see what they look to do in the transfer portal, but the need along the offensive line may not be as dire as it seems.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Sooners may not need to pursue offensive line in the transfer portal
Continue reading...
