Oklahoma Sooners making significant push to sign best offensive tackle in the transfer portal
Oklahoma's offensive line had its struggles throughout the 2024 season, though it did end the season on a high note with quality performances against Alabama and LSU. With their main problem gone at quarterback, the offensive line should be back to its usually dominant self in the eyes of many. To get back to their […]
Oklahoma's offensive line had its struggles throughout the 2024 season, though it did end the season on a high note with quality performances against Alabama and LSU. With their main problem gone at quarterback, the offensive line should be back to its usually dominant self in the eyes of many.
To get back to their routinely high-level of play, the Sooners are aiming to secure a couple of key pieces out of the transfer portal.
One of their main targets is Rice offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa. Don't let the helmet fool you, however, Onianwa is a talented prospect in his own right. ESPN even named him the 18th-best player in the transfer portal and the top-ranked offensive tackle in the portal. ESPN further name-dropped Oklahoma as a school heavily linked to Onianwa.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler, one of the best scouting experts in the country, gave a brief scouting report about Onianwa, and it's an encouraging one for Sooners fans.
“He’s massive, especially in his legs and butt. He bends well for his size.”
I recently sat down and watched Onianwa myself and I can concur. Onianwa's a 6'8, 345-pound mammoth on the football field, and he plays like it too. You can turn on the film of any game of his this season and he's usually throwing players around with ease and finishing reps routinely with defenders in the dirt.
He's also a good mover overall on the field. I think he could stand to lose some weight, all things considered, but you wouldn't expect to see a 345-pound tackle seal and reach as effectively as he does. When he establishes contact, the rep is pretty much over.
However, Onianwa is still raw at points. His hand placement in both run and pass blocking is consistently high, but I am encouraged by his ability to quickly reset his hands. He does still lunge a bit too often, especially when climbing and hitting his targets at the second level. Part of that is his high-cut play style, which is a given for his size, but it often leads to some poor reps where he fails to establish contact on defenders.
This one is an interesting move for Oklahoma. They need another starting tackle on the team, and Onianwa is that. He's a bit more developmental than I would have thought they would have gone for, but perhaps if they can keep him at left tackle and develop at the same spot for the first time, his technique would improve. His tools give him a good floor and very high ceiling, which is tantalizing with Bill Bedenbaugh's coaching prowess.
I'd keep an eye on this one as the week goes on.
