Brent Venables subtly hints at plans to start freshman offensive linemen in remaining SEC schedule
Oklahoma's offensive line struggles have been well-documented up to this point. The team is going through the last dregs of the Lincoln Riley-era recruiting (or rather, lack thereof). The Sooners have started as many as four transfer portal offensive linemen this season, a sign of just how short-handed the Sooners were going into the season. […]
Oklahoma's offensive line struggles have been well-documented up to this point. The team is going through the last dregs of the Lincoln Riley-era recruiting (or rather, lack thereof).
The Sooners have started as many as four transfer portal offensive linemen this season, a sign of just how short-handed the Sooners were going into the season.
However, they did bring in a talented group of freshmen offensive linemen in their 2024 recruiting class, which the team is very excited about.
One name stands out in particular: Freshman Eddy Pierre-Louis. Out of all of the freshmen linemen from their 2024 class, Pierre-Louis is the only one who has seen playing time this season.
The Sooners have hinted for weeks now that they want to get Pierre-Louis more involved with the offense. That plan could be moving forward here soon.
Pierre-Louis was a rather unheralded recruit in this past 2024 cycle and was far from Oklahoma's most celebrated offensive lineman they brought in. However, he has quickly made an impression on the team, moving quickly up the depth chart all offseason, culminating in being the only freshman offensive lineman to play this season.
Pierre-Louis is an interior lineman who, if he plays, will usurp one of the guard spots. The Sooners have toyed around with their left guard spot all season long, bouncing Jacob Sexton and Heath Ozaeta around at that position.
Febechi Nwaiwu was Oklahoma's most coveted portal linemen this year and he hasn't moved from the lineup all season, holding down the fort at right guard in every game. Pierre-Louis came in against Temple to man the right guard spot for nine snaps, so I would assume right guard would be the spot he would play at.
I'm on the fence about that. Nwaiwu has not been a problem for the Sooners, although his run-blocking has been disappointing. However, this season does feel like it is all but over. Playing your young offensive lineman is a move to start building for the future.
The future of Oklahoma's offensive line seems pretty bright with the talent they've brought in in their 2023, 2024, and 2025 recruiting classes. With their struggles this season, I'm not surprised the Sooners would opt to consider seeing what they have in their younger players.
