Every team goes through a certain amount of turnover in college football. It’s the nature of the beast. Players graduate, declare for the NFL draft or find a new home via the transfer portal. The Sooners have been one of the bigger beneficiaries of the transfer portal over the last decade and will benefit greatly again in 2022.
Arriving in Norman via the portal this offseason was California Golden Bears offensive lineman McKade Mettauer. Mettauer, a three-year starter for Cal, played more than 1,700 snaps during his tenure. It would have been more if not for the COVID-shortened Pac-12 season in 2020.
Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh was clear about the Sooners’ intentions when they brought in Mettauer.
“You know, who knows how he’ll contribute right now, but really, really good first impression. We didn’t bring him in here to be a backup. Now, obviously, he’s got to earn it. We’ll see. He started, I want to say, 30-something games at Cal. Obviously had a bunch of tape to study. Knew him from high school. We didn’t recruit him out of high school, but he’s really developed. Extremely smart kid, tough kid. He’s competitive. He’s doing all the right things right now. So, we’ll see once we get the pads on,” Bedenbaugh said.
Nothing changed the expectation that Mettauer is the starting left guard for the Oklahoma Sooners, replacing Marquis Hayes, who’s now with the Arizona Cardinals. And with an opportunity to start and play significant snaps, there’s an expectation that Mettauer will be one of the most impactful offensive line transfers in 2022.
On3’s Mike Huguenin has been going position-by-position, ranking the top transfers for the 2022 season, and McKade Mettauer comes in at No. 4. Here’s what Hugueinin had to say.
The skinny: McKade Mettauer was a three-year starter for Cal before he entered the transfer portal. Mettauer, who is from the Houston area, played in 27 games at Cal and started the final 26 of them. Mettauer (6-4, 303) was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection in 2021 and had a strong spring in OU’s revamped offense. Oklahoma had some issues running inside last season, and the hope is that Mettauer can help in that regard. – Mike Hugenin, On3 Sports
In 414 pass block snaps in 2021, Mettauer allowed just 11 pressures and zero sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to replace two starters on their offensive line in 2022. If Mettauer can be the player they’re hoping for, it would solidify a group that is still looking for its right tackle ahead of the 2022 season.
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