Oklahoma lands transfer portal addition at key position to boost struggling unit next season
Oklahoma's offensive line had its struggles last season. The unit fought injuries throughout the season and suffered from inconsistent play as a result. To fix that unit next season, Oklahoma has been hard at work in the transfer portal, offering and hosting several players on visits last week and over the next several days. They […]
Oklahoma's offensive line had its struggles last season. The unit fought injuries throughout the season and suffered from inconsistent play as a result.
To fix that unit next season, Oklahoma has been hard at work in the transfer portal, offering and hosting several players on visits last week and over the next several days.
They landed their first splash on the offensive line Monday, as they added Stanford transfer offensive tackle Luke Baklenko.
Baklenko, a two-year starter for the Cardinal, has played both left and right tackle in his career at Stanford. This past season, he settled in at right tackle. He allowed four sacks and 22 pressures in 2024.
Those numbers might give some pause, but keep in mind that PFF pressures are a tad fluky with pressures and Stanford's quarterbacks were atrocious in the pocket, inviting pressure and sacks frequently. If Bill Bedenbaugh and Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye wanted him, that's good enough for me. I'm not going to doubt two of the best offensive line coaches in college football.
Baklenko likely sticks at right tackle with the Sooners. Jake Taylor, the presumed starting right tackle, has battled injuries throughout his career at Oklahoma, and the Sooners have little proven depth behind him. Additionally, Spencer Brown, a transfer from last year's portal cycle, will be graduating and leaving the team.
With Baklenko's experience playing both left and right tackle, the Sooners added a proven and experienced swing tackle who can play both spots in case of an injury. I'm pretty confident he's likely just a depth piece for Oklahoma this season, which is always good to have.
The Sooners mostly have their offensive line settled for next season. I feel confident they are still likely looking for a veteran starter to compete at left tackle with Logan Howland, but beyond that, most of the spots feel settled for next year, barring more portal departures.
The left guard spot is almost assuredly going to be Heath Ozaeta after he closed the season strong. Same at center, as Troy Everett locked that job down with his play down the stretch. Right guard is up in the air, as Febechi Nwaiwu might return, but if not, it's almost a guarantee rising sophomore Eddy Pierre-Louis has that spot locked down.
Right tackle, where Baklenko is likely suiting up at, is still Jake Taylor's spot until proven otherwise, but I wouldn't be shocked if their latest transfer pushes him to compete for the starting spot.
