Brent Venables just called out the state of Oklahoma’s offensive line development, slamming it as “incredibly inconsistent and very disappointing” right before their massive Red River Rivalry game against No. 1 Texas. You gotta know that’s not a good sign when your head coach is publicly questioning a fundamental unit like that. This O-line, which Venables himself called a “critical place” for building a team and the position requiring “the most development,” is currently dead-last in the SEC in total offense. Yikes.
The Brutal Numbers Don’t Lie
Look, the numbers tell a story, and it’s not a pretty one for the Sooners’ offensive line. This unit has been among the worst in the nation for much of the last five years. Right now, they are averaging a dismal 2.9 yards per carry. Think about that: less than three yards every time they try to run the ball. Pro Football Focus grades them at No. 120 in pass blocking and No. 101 in run blocking. These aren’t just bad numbers; these are bottom-of-the-barrel, gotta-do-something-different numbers. And it’s not just this season. They’ve dropped in yards per carry every single year since 2022. While they’ve allowed fewer sacks since dual-threat quarterback John Mateer took over, let’s not forget they gave up a nation-worst 50 sacks back in 2024. This isn’t just a slump; it’s a trend, and it’s getting worse.
A Broken Pipeline and Transfer Troubles
Venables isn’t just talking about current performance; he’s pointing fingers at the root causes, especially the transfer portal. He openly admitted they’ve done a “very uneven job when it comes to choosing the guys that we’ve brought in here,” and that there are “way too many guys coming and going at that position group.” He’s right, you need continuity and consistency to develop an O-line. This problem started before him, with the Sooners famously bringing in only two high school offensive linemen in the 2021 class. But it hasn’t gotten better. Four out of five offensive line recruits from Venables’ first two classes are gone from the program. Three out of five from the 2024 class? Transferred. After the 2025 season, six Oklahoma offensive linemen hit the portal, and every single one of them landed at a Power Four school, with four becoming starters. That’s a huge talent drain right there. Their current starting five is a patchwork: two transfers in E’Marion Harris and Jake Maikkula, two underclassmen in Eddy Pierre-Louis and Ryan Fodje, and only one upperclassman, Heath Ozaeta. To make matters worse, offensive tackle Michael Fasusi, who would be a factor, has been out nearly the entire season with an injury. This is a mess, plain and simple.
Now, with the Red River Rivalry against No. 1 Texas looming on Saturday in Dallas, the Sooners are staring down their biggest challenge yet with an offensive line that their own coach just called “very disappointing.” This isn’t just a game; it’s a statement, and right now, the biggest question is whether this O-line can even give them a fighting chance.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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