Coming into the 119th edition of the [autotag]Red River Rivalry[/autotag], there was a feeling the Texas Longhorns‘ great defensive line would provide UT a significant advantage. Texas came into the game with two dominant interior defensive linemen, [autotag]T’Vondre Sweat[/autotag] and [autotag]Byron Murphy II[/autotag].
Both are going to have a future in the [autotag]NFL[/autotag]. It was going to be a tough battle for [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag], who has spent more time at center than guard in his collegiate career. Early in the game, Everett struggled to handle Sweat and Murphy.
Enter true freshman [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag].
Green was recruited to play tackle, and his future could be on the outside. However, he’s shown that he has the skill set to be a dominant guard. He further proved that in the biggest game of the year against arguably the best defensive lineman in the conference.
Once Green was inserted, rarely did we hear Sweat’s name called. Holes started to open up that weren’t there before Green started to play. Green was the one who paved the way on Tawee Walker’s walk-in touchdown.
Green talked to reporters on Monday about playing against Texas’ defensive line. “Their line was pretty nice-sized, but at the end of the day, it’s just football. You just have to do your job,” Green said.
And he certainly did his job.
He might have performed so well he should have a starting role along the offensive line this season. Oklahoma hasn’t been able to solidify their left guard spot. Savion Byrd and Everett have struggled with consistency. Green may go through some growing pains, but his ceiling is so high that it may be better to get his future going now.
With the likelihood that OU and Texas could meet again in the Big 12 title game, there’s no better time to get your future going along the offensive line. Green’s shown he’s good enough to play along Oklahoma’s offensive line. The next six games provide a significant opportunity to get the former four-star offensive lineman significant snaps and be better prepared for a possible Red River title game rematch.
As the Sooners work to improve their ground game and solidify their offensive line, Cayden Green has earned an opportunity to run with the starting offensive line. There’s no bigger stage to announce your arrival to college football than on the grandest stage of them all.
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