Tag: Bill Bedenbaugh

Another transfer center expected to visit the Oklahoma Sooners per report

The Sooners are still looking up ways to shore up their offensive line as another center will take a visit to the Sooners.

It’s no secret the Oklahoma Sooners are trying to find ways to help their center position heading into the 2024 college football season. Center became a big question mark after the loss of Troy Everett, who is expected to be out until the end of fall camp.

[autotag]Josh Bates[/autotag] has stepped in but doesn’t have the experience yet. So the Sooners are looking for some starting experience to supplement the position. SMU transfer center [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag] is set to visit this weekend during the spring game.

On Thursday, they found out Utah Utes transfer center Kolinu’u Faaiu would be making a trip to Norman. Faaiu is 6-foot-3 and 324-pounds. His representatives told ESPN’s Pete Thamel he will be taking three visits with Oklahoma on the shortlist.

He didn’t play as a freshman but has earned more opportunities the last two seasons. In 2022, he appeared in five games on the offensive line, but only played 88 snaps. Then last season he played in 11 games, starting the last eight at center. He played more than 500 snaps for the Utes last season.

This would be a big get for Oklahoma as he would have two years of eligibility left. He doesn’t have the starts or experience that Hickman has, but he’s a much bigger player, which will help against [autotag]SEC[/autotag] defensive linemen.

As of right now, the official date hasn’t been set but that would be a big win for Oklahoma if they can pull it off.

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Oklahoma Sooners Heath Ozaeta fighting for a starting spot

The fight for a starting spot on the Sooners offensive line will go on well into fall camp and a redshirt freshman is pushing hard to take a spot.

The Oklahoma Sooners are replacing five starters from the offensive line from a season ago. This offseason they’ve brought in several transfers to add competitive depth and compete for starting roles.

But that hasn’t discouraged the young players that were already on the team. They’re also fighting for those spots and not going down without a fight. A name that has received a lot of praise this offseason is redshirt freshman [autotag]Heath Ozaeta[/autotag]. He’s primarily been working at one of the guard spots.

It was expected that transfers would occupy the starting guard spots, but Ozaeta has really impressed. So much so that people think he has a chance to start this seaon.

Ozaeta talked about how his offseason is going so far. “It’s been good,” Ozaeta said. “It’s been a grind so far. But a lot of new guys. A lot of new faces in the building. Just trying to work together, mesh together. We’ve got a good group of guys, and we like what we’ve got going.”

Cohesion is key along the offensive line. They are a talented group but they have to be able to build that chemistry to enhance what they do on the field. As the Sooners work through the offseason, Bill Bedenbaugh is tasked with finding the five players that give Oklahoma the best chance to succeed offensively. Though Ozaeta might project to be a tackle long-term, he’s finding a home at guard.

Heath Ozaeta is a very athletic offensive lineman, something that Brent Venables praised at OU Media Days back in August. But he isn’t just an athletic player, from his high school film, he looked to punish defenders.

And if Ozaeta can showcase that athleticism and physicality along the interior the Sooners offense will thrive once again in 2024.

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CBS Sports includes Sooners among teams that can make playoff in 2024

The road will be tough, but the Oklahoma Sooners can make the playoff in year on in the SEC.

In the 2024 college football season, all eyes will be on the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns. The college football world will want to see how the Red River Rivals fair in their first season in the SEC.

Proclamations have been made, with many favoring the Horns to contend for a national title, but the Sooners aren’t looked upon as favorably.

There’s reason for skepticism with the Sooners. Even the most ardent supporters acknowledge the turnover that Oklahoma is facing, especially on offense, and even more specifically along the offensive line.

But even with the turnover the Sooners are facing, that may not even be the biggest issues. Oklahoma’s schedule in year one (and year two) in the SEC is one of the toughest in the nation. But nobody is going to feel sorry for Oklahoma, not even its fanbase. This is a blue blood program with national title aspirations regardless of the schedule, the conference, or the playoff format.

With spring ball underway, CBS Sports’ Will Backus took a look at the 16 programs he believed could contend for the 12-team playoff in 2024 and the Sooners came in at No. 16.

This will all come down to how Oklahoma acclimates in its first year as an SEC member. To compound an already difficult task, the Sooners will be breaking in an entirely new offensive line after losing five players with starting experience. Brent Venables nabbed four linemen from the transfer portal, and Oklahoma does have some veteran options that can push for more playing time. Having a coach like Bill Bedenbaugh to oversee things makes the overhaul easier. Otherwise, the Sooners look pretty solid across the board. Former five-star QB Jackson Arnold is stepping into the starting role on offense, and the defense should continue its upward trajectory with stars like Ethan Downs, Billy Bowman Jr. and Danny Stutsman back. – Backus, CBS Sports

Bill Bedenbaugh is facing arguably his toughest test to date, replacing his entire starting offensive line. But a combination of home grown talents and transfer portal additions provide the Sooners with good options to block for quarterback Jackson Arnold.

And with Arnold, the talent is there for him to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Can he put it all together in one offseason to help lead the Sooners into contention? That will be the question on everyone’s mind as the Sooners head into the SEC in 2024.

Nonconference will give Oklahoma an opportunity to get right before they host Tennessee for the Sooners’ SEC debut, but then the fun begins.

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Febechi Nwaiwu could be the next star offensive lineman for the Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners signed a pretty good transfer class but one guy flying under the radar is offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu.

The Oklahoma Sooners have spent their offseason trying to build their offensive line and make it SEC ready. They signed four from the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] and five in the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag].

The aggressiveness comes after they lost five starters from a season ago. Only two who started any games last season return: [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag] and [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag].

One guy I’m highest on and think could be Oklahoma’s next star offensive lineman is North Texas transfer [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag].

When I watch Nwaiwu’s film, this guy has power and moves really well. He has really good size at 6 feet, 4 inches and 326 pounds. He’s a perfect guard for the Sooners this season. I’ve heard nothing but praise so far in the offseason and that only increases my expectations for him.

Nwaiwu spoke about the pitch to him to come to Norman and how he’d fit into the current offensive line roster.

“He (Bill Bedenbaugh) told me he saw a lot of potential in me,” Nwaiwu said. “He also told me that there were a lot of things I could also work on that he thinks he could help me get better at. That’s what really helped sell me that it’s not just that I’m good but that he can make me even better.”

There is a world where Nwaiwu has a big season and is one and done at Oklahoma but I think he could be a two-year guy. I also think he could get some postseason conference recognition and be another draft pick along the offensive line for the Sooners.

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Top 10 player and top 3 offensive tackle in 2025 sets official visit to Oklahoma

Oklahoma received some big news about one of the most prized offensive linemen in the 2025 class.

The Oklahoma Sooners continue to lay the groundwork for several of the nation’s top prospects along the offensive line. While I’m a big believer in last year’s offensive line class, closing on some of these high-profile recruits in the [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag] would be huge.

2024’s offensive line class has a lot of potential but it doesn’t have the star power 2025 could have.

Like the 2023 class along defensive lineman, there weren’t many high-profile guys in Oklahoma’s normal recruiting area along the offensive line in 2024. That’s why 2024 was massive for the Sooners on the defensive line. Equally, that will be the case in 2025 with the offensive line.

That’s why it was good news to find out the No. 10 overall prospect and No. 3 offensive tackle, [autotag]Michael Fasusi[/autotag], has set his official visit to Norman. He will be coming in on June 14-16.

This won’t be his first time in Norman as he’s made several trips over the last year. This feels like it’s coming down to a [autotag]Red River[/autotag] battle for the five-star prospect. The Texas Longhorns currently lead according to On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. But some believe Oklahoma is the leader for his services.

Still, that month will tell us a lot about where his head is as the following week he will be in Austin. So, if the Sooners can knock that visit out of the park, maybe they can get Fasusi to cancel that trip and earn his commitment.

Until then, we wait.

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5-Star Denton Ryan offensive tackle sets official visit

The Oklahoma Sooners are high on another 5-Star tackle’s list and have found out when his official visit will be.

[autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] is already working his magic as he hopes to land some of the top prospects along the offensive line in the [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag].

This year he’s in on several five-star offensive linemen and he’s already landed the commitment from [autotag]Ryan Fodje[/autotag], a four-star offensive tackle who ranks in the top 80 nationally in 2025.

One who many think Oklahoma is in the best position for is five-star Denton (Ryan), Texas offensive tackle, [autotag]Ty Haywood[/autotag]. According to On3’s consensus rankings, Haywood ranks as the No. 13 overall prospect and the No. 2 offensive tackle.

On Sunday he announced when his official visit will take place to the Sooners. That visit will take place June 14-16.

Right now Oklahoma holds a major lead for Haywood according to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine. They hold a 92% chance of earning his commitment.

If the school sounds familiar, that’s where current Sooner Billy Bowman went to high school. So, there is at least some familiarity there that could be in Oklahoma’s favor in the long run.

Still, with any five-tar prospect, it’s going to be a long process before you are able to land their commitment. Then once you get their commitment, it’s about holding it all the way until Signing Day which can be just as challenging as getting it in the first place.

Needless to say, Oklahoma has a long way to go.

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Sooners 2025 OT commit Ryan Fodje sees big jump in latest 247Sports rankings update

Sooners offensive tackle commit Ryan Fodje earns a huge bump in 247Sports updated rankings.

When Cypress offensive tackle [autotag]Ryan Fodje[/autotag] committed to the Oklahoma Sooners, it kind of came out of nowhere. It wasn’t surprising that he committed to OU, but that he committed just as his recruitment was beginning to take off.

In the weeks leading to his commitment, the Power Five offers began to roll in. But his relationship with the Sooners was enough to make Fodje sure about where he was heading.

In the summer of 2023, Fodje spent time at Brent Venables football camp, catching the eye of the Sooners coaching staff, who later would become the first to offer the talented offensive tackle in August.

When he committed to the Sooners, he was considered a three-star prospect and the No. 304 prospect in the nation, according to 247Sports. In about a month, he’s jumped to the No. 80 player in the country and is a solid four-star offensive tackle. His rise has been impressive, and Fodje is now the top-rated player in the Sooners [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag].

Cypress (Texas) Bridgeland’s Ryan Fodje leaps into the top 100 nationally thanks to just how well his junior tape stacked up among the elite offensive tackle prospects across the country. Tall, long, relatively lean, and agile, Fodje — not 17 years old until mid-summer — played right tackle primarily this past fall, but flashes the functional athleticism and bend of a potential blind-side protector in the long run. We are excited to learn more about the Oklahoma pledge this spring. – Gabe Brooks, 247Sports

The rest of the country is catching up to what offensive line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] saw last summer when he was an unrated prospect.

Much like [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag] did in the 2023 recruiting cycle, Fodje could ultimately join the ranks of five-star players in the 2025 class. He’s got elite athleticism and refined technique for a junior in high school. And while a pair of Oklahoma offensive tackle targets are currently rated higher than Fodje, it wouldn’t be a surprise for Fodje to catch them in the rankings over the next year.

The Sooners have an elite prospect on their hands with Fodje, a player that could develop into another Bedenbaugh future first round NFL draft pick.

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Sooners pick up another prediction for 5-star OT Ty Haywood

The Oklahoma Sooners picked up another prediction for 2025 five-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood out of Denton Ryan.

The Oklahoma Sooners have some serious momentum in the [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag]. There’s a chance this could be their best offensive line class in the modern recruiting era.

They already have a pair of offensive linemen committed in Owen Hollenbeck and Ryan Fodje and look like the trending favorite for another. On Tuesday, the Sooners earned an On3 prediction from Texas recruiting insider Justin Wells for five-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood. Late Tuesday night, Josh McCuistion of SoonerScoop.com’s and On3 joined Wells with a prediction favoring the Sooners.

Haywood, out of Denton Ryan High School is a talented prospect that moves really well. He’s got great size heading into his junior year and he knows how to use his frame. Haywood’s a physical player at the point of attack and once he latches on defenders have a difficult time getting free. He’s not simply looking to block his guy, but put him in the ground.

In addition to his strength and physicality, Haywood displays really good footwork. He churns his feet to move defenders off the line of scrimmage and continues to block well after the running back is beyond the line of scrimmage. His highlights are a masterclass in “finishing your block.”

Haywood looks to have built a strong relationship with the Oklahoma Sooners and Bill Bedenbaugh at this point. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the Sooners have a pair of former Denton Ryan stars in Billy Bowman and Kalib Hicks on the roster to aid in their recruitment of Haywood.

With the Sooners about to have watch an offensive tackle taken in the first round of the NFL draft for the second straight year, it’s not surprising to see Bill Bedenbaugh creating a lot of positive momentum in offensive line recruiting.

More: Recruiting Profile: 2025 5-Star Ty Haywood

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Tyler Guyton inside top 15 of ESPN’s latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft

Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle continues to get a lot of love in NFL mock drafts, landing inside the top 15 of ESPN’s latest mock draft.

Development is the name of the game in college football. One of the best developers in the game coaches the offensive line for the Oklahoma Sooners, [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag].

Heading to the NFL combine are three of his offensive linemen from the 2023 season, [autotag]Andrew Raym[/autotag], [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag], and [autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag]. The Super Bowl featured a pair of former starters, [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag] and [autotag]Wanya Morris[/autotag]. The 2023 NFL draft featured a Bedenbaugh offensive tackle going in the first round, Anton Harrison.

A couple of months out from the 2024 NFL draft, Bedenabaugh and the Sooners may go back-to-back if early mock drafts are any indication. [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] has been a popular pick in the back end of the first, but in Field Yates’ latest mock draft for ESPN (ESPN+), Guyton was taken No. 15 overall by the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints might need to replace two offensive tackles this offseason, as longtime stalwart Ryan Ramczyk has dealt with a knee injury that could force him into retirement and Trevor Penning has struggled since being taken in the first round just two years ago. Guyton oozes upside with excellent quickness and the potential to anchor either tackle spot for a long time. He has allowed one sack over 29 career games (15 starts). – Yates, ESPN

If Guyton were to go No. 15, it would be Oklahoma and Bedenbaugh’s highest offensive line selection during his tenure as Sooners offensive line coach.

Guyton’s path to a potential first-round draft pick has been a unique one. He started out as a defensive lineman with TCU before switching to offensive tackle. Then, after transferring to Oklahoma, served in a reserve role, filling in for Wanya Morris during the 2022 season. He started the Cheez-It Bowl and received rave reviews that spilled over into the 2023 season.

He’s got great athleticism for the position and is an ascending player. He’ll continue to get better and will be an asset at the next level for a number of teams. At the NFL combine, he’ll get a chance to increase his draft stock even further when he goes through athletic testing and meetings with NFL front offices.

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The nation’s No. 3 offensive tackle in 2025 sets visit to Oklahoma

One of the nation’s top offensive lineman is making his way to Norman once again. He talks about what he likes about the Sooners.

If you follow recruiting much, you know this is a big year for [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] and the Oklahoma Sooners’ offensive line recruiting efforts. The Sooners already got one commit from four-star offensive tackle [autotag]Ryan Fodje[/autotag] and have a pledge from three-star prospect Owen Hollenbeck.

But that’s just the start. The Sooners are also in a great position for a few of the top-ranked tackles in the country like [autotag]Michael Fasusi[/autotag], [autotag]Ty Haywood[/autotag] and [autotag]Lamont Rogers[/autotag]. Another one they are in a great position for is [autotag]Andrew Babalola[/autotag].

Babalola is ranked as the No. 3 offensive tackle by 247Sports. He’s even set up a few upcoming visits which include a stop back in Norman. He spoke with Steve Wiltfong about (Subscription Required) his recent visit to Oklahoma on Junior Day.

“I had a great time in Norman,” Babalola said. “Getting to be around Coach V, Coach Bedenbaugh and the rest of the guys on the team was great. They made me feel important and I appreciate that. Just how real they were with me, the in-depth convos, all of that, it was great.”

As for why he is so high on the Sooners? “What’s different about OU is S.O.U.L Mission, nobody in the country really has anything like that. They have five people working full time that are dedicated to it, and they make a big emphasis on equipping their players with skills for life after football.”

The S.O.U.L. Mission has made an impression on prospects and their families over the past several recruiting cycles. It’s been a key component to OU’s recruiting efforts. Let’s see if it can move the needle enough for Oklahoma to land the top five offensive tackle prospect.

The blue chipper will be back at Oklahoma on April 12.

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