Analysis: Examining Oklahoma's OL Depth

NORMAN — Brent Venables and the Oklahoma football team opened practice to the media on Friday, allowing reporters to watch about 40 minutes of action.

During the second day of fall camp, AllSooners spent a good amount of time watching Bill Bedenbaugh's offensive line unit work. While no position group went full-contact last week, it was interesting to get a look at who Bedenbaugh has working with the first- and second-team offensive lines.

As expected, Walter Rouse, Savion Byrd, Andrew Raym, McKade Mettauer and Tyler Guyton took the first reps in drills. From what AllSooners observed, true freshman Cayden Green, Appalachian State transfer Troy Everett, redshirt junior Nate Anderson, Miami (OH) transfer Caleb Shaffer and sophomore Jake Taylor took the second reps.

While many fans might have been worried that the Sooners would be thin at offensive line in 2023, OU appears to have solid depth in the trenches.

Rouse, Raym and Mettauer are seasoned veterans who bring a wealth of experience to Bedednbaugh's unit, while Guyton started five games for Oklahoma last season and was very impressive during his time on the field.

Listed at 6-foot-7 and 327 pounds, Guyton's size and athleticism could make him a high-end NFL Draft target if he has a solid year as a full-time starter. Rouse and Raym will also have a shot at being selected by an NFL team in 2024, meaning that OU could be replacing four of its five offensive lineman following the upcoming season.

Rouse started 39 games in four years at Stanford, earning All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and Freshman All-American honors during his time in Palo Alto. While the former Cardinal standout had shoulder surgery over the offseason, he seems to be back to normal, participating in every drill that the media was able to watch on Friday.

Raym has 17 career starts for the Sooners, all coming at the center position. With just three sacks allowed on nearly 700 career pass-blocking reps, the former Broken Arrow (OK) standout will certainly have the chance to take his game to the pros if he is able to stay healthy for the entire 2023 season.

Mettauer, a redshirt senior, was the only OU offensive lineman to start all 13 contests in 2022. Prior to his transfer to Norman, the Houston-area native was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection at California.

At OU Media Days last week, offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby penciled in Rouse, Raym, Mettauer and Guyton as four of the team's starting offensive lineman, saying that there is an open competition at left guard.

"We've gotten to a point today where we feel pretty good about (our offensive line)," Lebby said last week. "I think we've got a chance to feel great about it as we get into week one with Walter (Rouse) at left (tackle), Tyler (Guyton) at right (tackle), (Andrew) Raym obviously being back at center, McKade (Mettauer) at right guard and then, you know, the left guard position being able to go battle in camp."

If Byrd, a third-year sophomore, is able to secure his spot as the team's starting left guard, it would be huge for the former Duncanville (TX) standout. Byrd has made only one start in his collegiate career, but will need more in-game reps before the Sooners head to the SEC next year.

A 4-star prospect coming out of high school, fans have been clamoring to see Byrd in action since the start of last season. Now, the 6-foot-5 guard has the chance to lock down a role on the starting unit with a solid performance in fall camp and the team's non-conference slate.

If Byrd does end up starting this season and the Sooners lose Rouse, Raym, Guyton and Mettauer, Byrd's experience would prove vital next year. If Shaffer were to end up winning the job, however, Bedenbaugh could be replacing all five of his starting linemen next season.

The second unit of Green, Everett, Anderson and Taylor will need to gain more experience during Oklahoma's final year in the Big 12 to prepare them for life in the SEC. Each of the aforementioned players will have eligibility left in 2024, and will have a good shot at joining the starting unit next year.

With Aaryn Parks, who entered the transfer portal earlier this summer but elected to stay in Norman, and Jacob Sexton also on the roster, OU should have decent depth within Bedenbaugh's group this season.

Sign up for your premium membership to AllSooners.com today, and get access to the entire Fan Nation premium network!
Follow AllSooners on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest OU news!
Want even more Sooners news? Check out the SI.com OU team page here!
Listen and subscribe to the AllSooners Podcast!
Watch more Sooners videos and subscribe on YouTube!