Tag: Eddy Pierre-Louis

3 Oklahoma Sooners true freshmen to watch against LSU

Who are three freshmen to watch when the Oklahoma Sooners visit the LSU Tigers?

The Oklahoma Sooners and the LSU Tigers will meet in the final game of the regular season on Saturday night. OU is coming off a 24-3 upset win over the Alabama Crimson Tide last week, and they’re looking to get back-to-back high-level wins.

As [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and the Sooners hit the road to Baton Rouge, they’ll once again be turning to plenty of true freshmen to step up. Because of all of the injuries Oklahoma has faced this year, there have been plenty of members of the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag] who have played a ton of meaningful snaps. It’ll be no different against the Bayou Bengals, and here are three names to keep your eye on in Death Valley in Week 14.

1. Xavier Robinson, RB

In a matter of weeks, running back [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] has gone from buried on the depth chart and an afterthought to an integral piece of the present and future of the OU offense.

Robinson carried a big load against Alabama last week, and he’s in line to do so again against LSU this week. His bruising run style means he’s always falling forward, and it’s hard for the first tackler to bring him down.

The Carl Albert High School product didn’t look like a freshman against the mighty Crimson Tide, and OU will need that to be true against the Tigers this week as well.

2. Eddy Pierre-Louis, OL

Offensive lineman [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag] didn’t play against Missouri, but he got some very good reps against Alabama, in a game where OU’s offensive line was able to control the action up front. He’s another player who figures to factor into this team’s future plans on the O-line.

Pierre-Louis plays a lot of right guard, a key spot with OU’s inside runs or gap scheme outside runs with pulling linemen. He played well against a very talented defensive front and will need to do so again if his number is called versus LSU this week.

3. Eli Bowen, DB

Cornerback [autotag]Eli Bowen[/autotag] did an excellent job against Alabama’s Ryan Williams a week ago. Now, he’s got another tough challenge matching up against LSU’s Kyren Lacy. Bowen has become inarguably the best corner on this football team, and his future in Norman is so bright.

Oklahoma’s secondary has been hit or miss for most of the 2024 season, but they were on last week, with Bowen playing a big role. The Tigers boast a dynamic passing attack that will test the Sooners vertically, meaning that the secondary will have to play very well again this week.

3 freshmen to watch for Oklahoma Sooners against Tulane

The Sooners will be counting on their young players to play a pivotal role against Tulane.

The Oklahoma Sooners are 2-0 on the young season, and after defeating Temple and Houston, they’ve turned their attention to Tulane. OU will once again be at home for week three, as the Green Wave come to Norman, looking to pull the upset.

After a mostly positive week one win against Temple, the Sooners had a below-standard performance on offense against Houston in week two. The defense and special teams performed up to par, and OU was able to walk away with a four-point victory.

Another offensive performance like the one we saw last Saturday won’t cut it against the Green Wave. They nearly upset Kansas State last week. Tulane is the best team the Sooners have played so far this year, and with injuries and questions all over the place offensively, some unexpected names may need to step up.

Oklahoma’s freshmen class has gotten a bit more of a run than we normally see, especially on offense. Again, this is primarily due to the injuries that OU has suffered all over the offensive line and at wide receiver. With that in mind, here are three true freshmen to keep an eye out for Saturday afternoon against Tulane.

1. Zion Ragins, WR

Wide receiver [autotag]Zion Ragins[/autotag] got plenty of valuable playing time last week against the Cougars and was targeted multiple times, mostly in the second half. He only recorded one catch and showed his youth versus the stronger, older Houston cornerbacks, as he was out-muscled along the sidelines a few times.

The name of Ragins’ game is speed, as the 5-foot-8, 150-pound wideout takes what he lacks in size and makes up for it with blazing quickness. Fade routes down the sidelines against bigger players aren’t his strong suit, yet that’s what he ran a lot of against Houston. As the Sooners search for someone to step up alongside [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] at wide receiver, Ragins looks like he’ll get plenty of chances once again.

2. Eddy Pierre-Louis, OL

[autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag] wasn’t used last week against Houston, but as the offensive line continues to shuffle, he may find himself playing more in the weeks to come.

Oklahoma’s offensive line has dealt with injuries and forced to move guys around each of the last two weeks. As the Sooners wait for injury updates on players like Branson Hickman and Jake Taylor, two starters when healthy, it may be a freshmen that steps up to provide some assistance.

Currently, OU is down to fourth-string center Joshua Bates and has been rotating through tackles on both sides of the ball. Guard has been one of the strengths up front, with Febechi Nwaiwu and Jacob Sexton serving as the most consistent players on the line to this point.

But if the Sooners feel they need Sexton to step out and play left tackle, his ideal position, so that they can move Michael Tarquin over to the right side to cover the loss of Taylor, then Pierre-Louis could get valuable snaps at left guard as OU inches closer to [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play.

3. David Stone, DT

The defensive line has been one of Oklahoma’s strengths so far this season, and it starts on the interior. OU’s top four players at those spots have been really good. Jayden Jackson, Damonic Williams, Da’Jon Terry, and Gracen Halton have all had big moments through the first two weeks.

But Oklahoma’s fifth player in that role is valuable as well. Defensive tackle [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] has been getting his feet wet at the college level, after not being as ready-made to start as Jackson, his former high school teammate. However, Stone has as much upside as anyone on the roster and was a massive recruiting win as a five-star signee for head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag].

If OU’s offense continues to struggle, it means the defense will be on the field more and more as the season wears on, beginning on Saturday against Tulane. Those extra plays are especially hard on the 300-pounders that the Sooners now have on the defensive line. Stone will be an integral part of making sure that the players above him on the depth chart don’t get run down or injured if the defense is going to have to play more snaps than expected due to poor offensive play.

Stone being the fifth-best defensive tackle on the roster speaks to the job Venables is doing to build up the roster in his third season. In the past couple of years, a player of Stone’s natural ability may have had to play right away, despite not being ready yet. Now, through recruiting and the portal, Venables has a talented future superstar waiting in the wings and learning everything there is to know about playing his role in OU’s defense.

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Final thoughts on Oklahoma Sooners vs. Temple Owls

The Oklahoma Sooners get set to open the season against the Temple Owls and here are this week’s final thoughts.

It’s football time in Oklahoma, and the Sooners are stepping into a monumental season in college football. The Sooners enter 2024 in unfamiliar territory as a team with something to prove.

No longer are they the conference powerhouse, but instead will fight to earn their place at the SEC’s grown-up table alongside Georgia and Alabama. But that’s what this program has been about throughout its existence. The Sooners are one of the big boys of college football, a blue blood that’s had as much success as anyone.

But, like anything in life, the Sooners will have to earn the respect of their new conference brethren. And that’s the way Brent Venables wants it.

As the Sooners get set to kick off the 2024 season, here is this week’s final thoughts.

Offensive Line Time

So much has been said about the Oklahoma Sooners offensive line. Sure, they don’t return a primary starter from a year ago. But no reason to fret. The Sooners have had productive offensive line play for a long time and are coached by one of the best in the business in [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag].

It will come together and this week against Temple provides the first opportunity to see the unit begin to gel. [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag], [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag], [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag], [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag], and [autotag]Jake Taylor[/autotag] have a nice mix of blue-chip talent and experience.

Believe in Bedenbaugh.

Need for Speed

The Oklahoma Sooners will start two legitimate speedsters this week against the Temple Owls when [autotag]Brenen Thompson[/autotag] and [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] take the field. Burks showed off his big-play ability in the spring game and Thompson, though in a limited role, averaged more than 34 yards per reception on his seven catches last season because of his track speed.

The Temple defense is going to have a difficult time keeping track of Burks and Thompson, who will blow down the field like an Oklahoma wind on the prairie.

Welcome Back JoBa

[autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] got off to a great start to his collegiate career when he emerged as the backup to [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag] during the 2022 season. He ran for over 500 yards and looked headed for a jump in production as a true sophomore in 2023. However, injuries kept Barnes from getting going and last season was pretty much a wash.

In 2024, Barnes has stayed healthy and looks primed to reprise his role from the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl, where he and fellow 2022 four-star signee [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] operated in the lead running back tandem.

Sawchuk may get the start, but Barnes is going to get a lot of work in 2024 and the two will complement each other well in the Sooners rushing attack.

Jackson Arnold Show

The former five-star quarterback, Elite 11 winner, and Gatorade National Player of the Year is set to take the stage for his first season as a starter, and the anticipation has reached a fever pitch. [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] has all the talent in the world to be Oklahoma’s next great quarterback.

With an entire offseason to work with his wide receivers and to familiarize himself with [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag]’s offense, look for a much more comfortable and decisive heading into his second career start. Though the level of competition isn’t quite what Arnold faced in the Alamo Bowl, there’s still a lot to be gleaned from this game against Temple.

Defensive Dominance

The Oklahoma Sooners’ defense will lead the way for the Sooners in 2024. And that starts against Temple. The Owls are one of the worst teams in the country in SP+ offensive ranking and don’t have a settled situation at quarterback.

Oklahoma’s depth and talent are so much greater on the defensive side of the ball. The Sooners should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage, making life incredibly easy for the back seven. Look for this game to resemble what OU did to Arkansas State last year.

Brent’s Guys

It’s year three of the [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] era. All but a handful of guys on the roster committed and signed to play for Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners after his arrival.

This team has his fingerprints all over it on both sides of the ball. It’s a team marked by energy, intensity, and determination. They may not be the most talented team in the country, but they’ll be one of the hardest working and toughest teams in the nation.

Young Guns

The [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag] has already made a name for themselves with the way they’ve worked this offseason to get ready for OU’s first year in the SEC. [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] earned a starting spot on the defensive line. Venables praised David Stone’s work ethic. [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] and [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag] received rave reviews for the work they put in after arriving this summer.

We still need to see that group on the field. What they look like in year one isn’t a finished product. But from what we’ve seen, the Sooners coaching staff won’t have to wonder if this crew is going to work for what they want.

Tonight, we get our first glimpse of what this class is made of.

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Where are the Sooners in ESPN’s Power Rankings through 2026?

Where did the Oklahoma Sooners land in ESPN’s Future Power Rankings through 2026?

The future is bright for the Oklahoma Sooners. Brent Venables and his staff have been recruiting at a very high level since his arrival in Norman. Each of his first three recruiting classes has ranked in the top 10 of 247Sports team recruiting rankings. Even the 2022 class after it deteriorated following the departure of [autotag]Lincoln Riley[/autotag].

The Sooners have added blue-chip prospects on both sides of the ball, including four five-star prospects. Though those recruiting classes have yet to fully take hold of the program, they’re very much the core of the future for the Oklahoma Sooners.

But there are still some questions about what that future looks like. Over at ESPN, Adam Rittenberg ranked the top 25 programs (ESPN+) over the next three seasons and the Oklahoma Sooners came in at No. 18.

Decorated offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh must find the right mix for 2024 with a largely new group, although juniors [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag] and [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag] are both back. (Febechi) Nwaiwu and (Branson) Hickman both can play through 2025, and the development of non-seniors such as redshirt freshman [autotag]Joshua Bates[/autotag] will be significant. The wide receiver and tight end outlooks are very strong. – Rittenberg, ESPN

Much of the concern surrounding the Sooners in 2025 and 2026 focuses on the offensive line. The skill talent is in really good shape and so is the quarterback position. Defensively, Venables and his staff continue to hit home runs on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal.

But while many around the country aren’t all that optimistic about Oklahoma’s offensive line, there’s reason to be. Namely, because Bill Bedenbaugh has a proven track record. He’s rebuilt offensive lines on a regular basis. He’s shown he’s a great evaluator of both high school and transfer portal talent and we know he can develop. He’s got a bunch of dudes on NFL rosters heading into 2024 NFL training camps.

In 2024, the offensive line will feature several transfer portal additions, but there are still blue-chip prospects in [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag], [autotag]Jake Taylor[/autotag], and [autotag]Heath Ozaeta[/autotag] vying for jobs up front. Bedenbaugh also added four-star offensive linemen [autotag]Eugene Brooks[/autotag] and [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag] in the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag].

For 2024 and beyond, questions about the offensive line may continue to be a theme, but we’ve seen the offensive line come together. There’s little reason to believe it won’t come together and be a strength for the Sooners.

The success that Oklahoma’s having on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal is reason enough to be excited about the future of the program. Now, they simply, or maybe not so simply, need to go and prove it on the field.

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Oklahoma Sooners must solve their offensive line problem heading into 2024

The Oklahoma Sooners have their work cut out for them with the offensive line but could any of the young guys be an answer?

There is no doubt the Oklahoma Sooners’ biggest question mark heading into 2024 and their inaugural season in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] is the offensive line. The Sooners lose five guys who started a bunch of games last season.

[autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag], [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag], [autotag]Andrew Raym[/autotag], [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] are gone. Four are off to the [autotag]NFL[/autotag]. The other found a new home in Missouri. That means the Sooners will have their work cut out for them to replace those five.

[autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag] played some at guard but started the bowl game at center, which is probably his more natural position. We’ll see if he wins that job, but it appears he’s the leader to take over for Raym. [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag] started the last few games after Guyton went down with an injury and did pretty well. The Sooners also brought in two transfers [autotag]Spencer Brown[/autotag] and [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag], who look poised to take over at tackle and guard.

But that still leaves spots unfilled. The Sooners are almost certainly going to remain active in the portal, but it’s also possible an incoming freshman gets a look. Most people have assumed that would be [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag], seeing how highly thought of he is. But a constantly mentioned top performer at the Under Armour All-American events is [autotag]Eugene Brooks[/autotag].

“I don’t know where it will start for me, but I’m just going to go in there and ball out,” Brooks said. “I’m going to work my butt off. I’m going to go in there every day and give it 110% and be the first one in and the last one out.”

It seems with Brooks, [autotag]Daniel Akinkunmi[/autotag], Pierre-Louis, [autotag]Isaiah Autry[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Aisosa[/autotag], the Sooners have a class of offensive linemen that are physical and bring some nasty back to the offensive line.

That’s something they’ve been missing the last few years, and something we know Bedenbaugh wants out of his linemen. Combine that with what appears to be a strong work ethic from each, and Oklahoma could have a better offensive line class than many thought initially.

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Oklahoma Sooners’ 2024 signing class position outlook

A position by position look at who signed with the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2024 signing class.

The Oklahoma Sooners put together another top-10 recruiting class, signing all 27 of their prospects on the first day of the early signing period.

It’s a class that will help define Oklahoma’s success in the SEC. It’s a class that’s balanced, with 14 offensive signees and 13 on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive front is garnering all of the attention, but the Oklahoma Sooners brought in a number of really talented players on both sides of the ball.

Here’s a position breakdown of the Sooners’ 2024 signing class.

More: [autotag]2024 Early Signing Period[/autotag] coverage

Oklahoma Sooners receive three predictions for transfer offensive lineman

Oklahoma Sooners could be getting some more good news, this time in the transfer portal.

It’s no secret, the Oklahoma Sooners have a lot of work to do along the offensive line before next season. The Sooners must replace all five starters from this season, although [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag] and [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag] started a few games in 2023.

[autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag], [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag], [autotag]Andrew Raym[/autotag], [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] are gone. Sexton replaced Guyton at the end of the season due to an injury. Everett played some guard earlier in the year when they were trying to solidify that position before Green took over.

The Sooners brought in [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag], who is the top interior offensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting class, according to Rivals. While [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] showed he will play freshmen, we know that’s not what he wants to do.

So, the Sooners have hit the portal hard. They’ve received one commitment, former Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle [autotag]Spencer Brown[/autotag]. Now, they’ve received three predictions from SoonerScoop’s Josh McCuiston, Michigan State insider Justin Thind and national recruiting analyst Brian Dohn for his running mate at guard, [autotag]Geno VanDeMark[/autotag].

VanDeMark and Brown started on the right side of the line, so they have chemistry playing together. Given Sexton played right tackle, those two could be moved to the left side or they could move Sexton to the left side if VanDeMark were to sign.

Michigan State had an up-and-down season, and so did VanDeMark, although his best games came against his best competition. According to Pro Football Focus, he had pass-blocking grades of 71.7, 76.6, and 86.4 against the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions.

He definitely is better at pass blocking than run blocking, although he’s solid at that as well. Ultimately, he would bring experience and depth to a depleted offensive line.

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Oklahoma Sooners land Rivals’ top interior offensive lineman

It was a long recruiting battle but the Sooners officially land the signature of one of the most sought offensive linemen.

The Oklahoma Sooners will have to replace five starting offensive linemen from this season’s team. [autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag], [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag], [autotag]Andrew Raym[/autotag], [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] are gone in 2024.

That’s why it was so important Bill Bedenbaugh landed the nation’s top interior offensive linemen, according to Rivals, [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag]. He did just that by earning his commitment less than a week ago. The commitment became official Wednesday when Pierre-Louis signed his letter of intent with the Sooners.

The 6-foot-3, 335-pound guard is a freak of nature. He recorded 25 reps at 225 pounds on the bench press at a camp last summer which would have been the 16th most at the NFL combine by an offensive lineman in 2023. He also ran a 12.97 100-meter dash in high school.

He could compete immediately for playing time given the losses Oklahoma has had on the offensive line. As long as he gets the details down, he’ll have a chance to make an impact. Regardless, he has a very bright future.

More from the [autotag]2024 Early Signing Period[/autotag]

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Oklahoma Sooners No. 7 in 247Sports team recruiting rankings for 2024

After the commitment of Reggie Powers, the Sooners are just outside the top 5 in 247Sports team recruiting rankings for 2024.

The Oklahoma Sooners have three games remaining in the 2023 season, including two more home games. Those home games against West Virginia this week and TCU on Black Friday will serve as opportunities for the Sooners to host recruits for a gameday experience.

It will give Brent Venables and his staff a couple more opportunities to put their best foot forward in the 2024 recruiting cycle before the early signing period comes in December.

Already with one of the best classes in the nation, OU has a chance to make it even better if they can earn commitments from offensive linemen [autotag]Grant Brix[/autotag] or [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag] or both. And while it might be unlikely, you can’t count out this coaching staff’s ability to flip a high-profile prospect until he faxes in his national letter of intent.

So with a little more than a month until the early signing period, let’s take a look at where the Sooners stand among the top 15 in the 247Sports team rankings.

Oklahoma Sooners receive commitment from 2024 3-Star OL Daniel Akinkunmi

The Oklahoma Sooners received a commitment from 2024 3-Star OL Daniel Akinkunmi.

It’s been a fantastic week for the Oklahoma Sooners. First, they beat the Texas Longhorns 34-30. Then they picked up some momentum in the recruitment of offensive lineman [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Michael Boganowski[/autotag]. Now, they’ve added another player to the 2024 class.

The Oklahoma Sooners earned a pledge from offensive lineman Daniel Akinkunmi.

Akinkunmi marks the 25th commitment in the cycle and ranks as the No. 34 interior offensive lineman in the class. He’s received big-time offers from a number of Power Five programs, including Oklahoma, Baylor, Clemson, Miami, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, Penn State, Duke, and Texas Tech.

Out of the NFL Academy in London, England, Akinkunmi may require time to make the transition to college football. But he’s got a lot of potential.

He’s got the size to be a force for the Sooners interior but also has the athleticism to bump out to tackle if needed at the collegiate level.

Akinkunmi’s recruitment is a sign of the growth of the sport. England, in particular, has seen several players make noise at the collegiate and NFL level in recent years.

The top player in England now joins a Sooners squad that has become well known for offensive line development under offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.

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