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USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
'Excited about that group': Ben Arbuckle praises Oklahoma's offensive line
There might be other positions on the Oklahoma Sooners' 2025 depth chart that have garnered more attention ahead of fall camp, which opens July 30. John Mateer and Jaydn Ott have carried a lot of the talking points after transferring to Oklahoma this offseason. However, there's no position group more important to Oklahoma's success than the offensive line. It's one of the reasons Oklahoma has a chance to significantly improve this year. 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.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OU football adds 4-star OL Deacon Schmitt to Sooners' 2026 recruiting class
NORMAN — Bill Bedenbaugh earned a major recruiting victory on Saturday afternoon. OU landed its 10th commitment in June when four-star offensive lineman Deacon Schmitt chose the Sooners over Alabama and Colorado in a ceremony at Windsor High School in Colorado. Advertisement "Thank you to everyone who believed in me," Schmitt told the crowd. "I was a kid with a dream walking in and I feel like I've done my part. ... It's been a great journey and I'm super blessed but with all of that being said, I'm here to announce my commitment to the University of Oklahoma." Schmitt is ranked as the 371st player in the 2026 class and the No. 1 prospect in Colorado, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings. Schmitt visited Norman earlier this month as part of one of OU's major recruiting weekends. Before committing to the Sooners, Schmitt canceled official visits to Nebraska, Tennessee and USC, according to On3. Schmitt is Bedenbaugh's highest-rated offensive line commit of the 2026 class. Schmitt is the second offensive lineman to commit in the 2026 class, joining four-star Noah Best. Best committed on June 9. Advertisement Following a slow start to the year, OU has had a hot June on the trail. Schmitt's commitment comes days after four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley picked the Sooners over LSU. Before Schmitt's commitment, the Sooners ranked No. 43 in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports' team ranking. More: How will OU football's John Mateer adjust to SEC? One burning question for each position Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@ or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football adds OL Deacon Schmitt to Sooners' 2026 recruiting class
USA Today
01-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners expected to host transfer offensive lineman per report
Oklahoma Sooners expected to host transfer offensive lineman per report The Oklahoma Sooners will be active in the spring transfer portal window that opens for football on April 15. But with the coaching change that recently happened at Stanford, the Sooners may have the opportunity to add to their roster before the portal opens in a couple of weeks. According to Pete Nakos of On3, the Oklahoma Sooners will be hosting Stanford center Jake Maikkula. Maikkula started 11 games for the Cardinal at both left guard and center in 2024, playing 764 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. It's that kind of versatility the Oklahoma Sooners could use on the interior in 2025. Oklahoma is lacking depth on the interior. Right now, Troy Everett is projected to start at center with Febechi Nwaiwu and Eddy Pierre-Louis getting first-team snaps at the guard spots. Ryan Fodje has been getting a lot of wor at right guard and Josh Aisosa has seen the second team reps at center. But with Heath Ozaeta nursing an injury, the Sooners don't have much experience to work with behind the projected starters. Maikkula's ability to play center could pay dividends for Bill Bedenbaugh's offensive line at center and could back up one of the guard positions. The Sooners got caught without much experience along the offensive line last season after dealing with a number of injuries. They added Derek Simmons and Luke Baklenko (also from Stanford) this offseason to provide some veteran options to compete with the young offensive linemen on the roster. Simmons has emerged as a possibility to start at right tackle. Finding a depth piece in the transfer portal will be paramount for Brent Venables, Ben Arbuckle, and Bill Bedenbaugh so they don't find themselves in the same position they were in last season.
