The Oklahoma Sooners are in the midst of an offensive line rebuild, losing four of their primary starters to the NFL and two of those guys are making a ton of noise in NFL preseason.
[autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] with the Dallas Cowboys and [autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag] of the Minnesota Vikings are Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded offensive tackles in NFL preseason.
Now, it’s just the preseason, but it’s a strong start to their careers for the former Sooners offensive tackles. Guyton has been the talk of the preseason, replacing All-Pro and future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Tyron Smith. After being selected in the first round, Guyton went to work with offensive line trainer Duke Manyweather and has made a seamless transition from playing right tackle to left tackle.
Walter Rouse was taken in the sixth round by the Vikings. Rouse is currently projected to be the backup in Minnesota, but he’s earned a roster spot and a chance to develop and compete for snaps down the road.
Highest Graded Rookie Offensive Tackles this Preseason:
1️⃣ Tyler Guyton, DAL: 80.6
2️⃣ Walter Rouse, MIN: 72.5@OU_Football pic.twitter.com/zJ6p7a7yEH— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 21, 2024
The two players arrived at Oklahoma at various states of their development. Rouse was a graduate transfer from Stanford and played a significant role in a Sooners offense that averaged 40 points per game last season. His block of two Texas Longhorns allowed Dillon Gabriel just enough time to find Nic Anderson in the back of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
Guyton came to Oklahoma after two seasons with the TCU Horned Frogs, where he played defensive end and tight end before making the switch to offensive tackle. In two seasons with the Sooners, Guyton flourished. First he was the backup offensive tackle, starting a few games for Wanya Morris in the 2022 season before taking over as the starting right tackle last season.
Rouse and Guyton are notable feathers in the cap of offensive line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag]. That developmental success is why there’s so much trust and belief in Oklahoma’s ability to reload along the offensive line despite losing the five guys who started for the majority of the 2023 season.
There are a number of players who’ve come through Oklahoma to go on to have successful NFL careers and Rouse and Guyton look like they’re on a strong trajectory to be next on the list.
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