How Oklahoma OL Caleb Shaffer Earned a Team Captain Spot Prior to First Start in Norman
NORMAN — When Oklahoma right guard McKade Mettauer went down in the Red River Rivalry, it looked as though the Sooners might lose one of their veteran offensive lineman for a lengthy stretch.
Fortunately for the OU offense, head coach Brent Venables said last week that Mettauer would be back "sooner rather than later".
Still, it doesn't seem as though the former Cal transfer will be able to suit up on Saturday against UCF, leaving the door open for Caleb Shaffer, who replaced Mettauer in the Red River game, to make his first start in the Crimson and Cream.
While Shaffer hasn't been in the starting lineup since arriving in Norman, the fifth-year senior made 35 starts in four seasons at Miami (OH), allowing just two sacks in 2,258 snaps, according to PFF.
After practice on Tuesday, Shaffer spoke to the media about how his time at Miami (OH) helped him prepare for his first start as a Sooner.
"Coming here to OU the standard is, you can't reach it," Shaffer said. "They put it so high you've just got to keep coming in here every day and doing everything you can to be your best. So I feel like being at Miami, it gave me the foundation of just how to show up every day and be a professional and work. ... Discipline is what bridges that gap when motivation isn't giving you what need. So I just feel like my journey through college football has just taught me really how to be professional. Be disciplined. Show up regardless of how I'm feeling and do what I need to do to help this team be great."
Shaffer, who hails from Carmel, IN, transferred to Oklahoma over the offseason, but has been stuck behind Mettauer, who started all 13 games for the Sooners in 2022, on the depth chart all year.
After Mettauer suffered an injury against Texas, Shaffer stepped into the game for the Sooners' final drive, which resulted in.a game-winning touchdown.
With Shaffer's first start in Norman on the horizon, the 6-foot-5, 344-pound guard said that he is excited to get his opportunity, but that he isn't satisfied with just being a starter.
"Worked really hard for this opportunity. I'm super excited," Shaffer said. "I'm going to make the most of it. But by no means, this is a starting point. I'm going to use this game, I'm going to use every practice before, just keep getting better. Keep earning the coaches trust. And just keep giving them no choice but to give me opportunities. So I know what I'm doing out on the field there and just keep earning respect and trust."
Shaffer seems to have the trust of his teammates and coaches, as he was named a captain for the Sooners' matchup against the Golden Knights.
Shaffer said that he was surprised to learn he was a captain, especially since he's been on campus for less than a year.
"Truly it really kind of caught me off guard," Shaffer said. "But I was honored just because I really love these guys. I love these coaches. This staff, it means a lot that they look up to me as someone who really emulates what this program is about. I know I haven't been here a long time but I really just try and show how appreciative I am of my opportunity by the way I come in here and prepare on a daily basis. Do things the right way. That's my way of trying to show that I care about this team."
Shaffer's head coach agrees.
At his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Venables praised the transfer offensive lineman's mentality, saying that Shaffer has played well in his limited role this season.
"Whenever he’s got an opportunity to get in the game, he’s gotten in the game and he’s done very well," Venables said. "He’s earned more of an opportunity. In the games, he plays really well. Bedenbaugh, if he was up here, truth serum — ‘He pisses me off in practice, but he gets in those games and he can play.’ And I think it goes back to his experience and he was well-coached at Miami (OH). ... So he came in here with a lot of good foundation from a playing standpoint. And he's done really well. I’m really proud of Caleb.”
After a great first drive in a crucial situation for the Sooners, there is plenty of reason for OU fans to be optimistic that Jeff Lebby's offense will be just fine against a UCF team that has allowed nearly 28 points per game so far this season.
Still, another shakeup along Oklahoma's offensive line is an important note to keep an eye on in the Sooners upcoming home tilt.
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