'Excited about that group': Ben Arbuckle praises Oklahoma's offensive line
The SEC won't let you get away with an average or bad offensive line. If there's a weak link up front, SEC defensive coordinators and the talent in the front seven will expose it. And that's what happened to the Sooners for much of the 2024 season. Injuries derailed Bill Bedenbaugh's offensive line from the jump and by midseason they were starting players with very little experience. But there's more optimism about Bill Bedenbaugh's group.
Oklahoma retained the corps of its offensive line from last year, added key transfers Derek Simmons, Luke Baklenko, and Jake Maikkula, and added a strong offensive line recruiting class. While the play of Mateer and Ott will determine a lot of Oklahoma's success, the offensive line has to have a better year for Oklahoma to be the contender that Brent Venables believes they can be.
Speaking at the OU Coaches' Luncheon on Thursday, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle spoke to the importance of the offensive line's development this offseason.
'There's no position more important than the offensive line at that exact thing, fighting to get on the same page,' Arbuckle said via The Oklahoman's Colton Sulley. 'Everything from our older guys who have really been leading those meetings and taking the charge with it to our younger guys buying in and completely investing into what these older guys are trying to feed into them. I've been really, really proud of the work that they put in this summer.'
All eyes are on the Oklahoma offense this season. Oklahoma's defense has reached the point that it can help the Sooners contend. It needs an offense to hold up its end of the bargain, and most importantly, an offensive line that can help the Sooners establish a presence in the trenches on the offensive side of the ball.
The work they've put in has their new offensive coordinator excited about what's to come.
'The cohesion that they're building, it's been a lot of fun to actually watch,' Arbuckle said. 'I can't wait to get out in fall camp and really watch the fruits of their labor... They've been great this summer, really excited about that group and ready to roll.'
There's a lot of confidence emanating from the OU Football program heading into the 2025 season. If the offensive line has the bounce-back season that everyone expects it to, Oklahoma's offense will have a chance to be one of the best in the nation. And if that's the case, the Sooners will be a title contender.
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.
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