Oklahoma IDs Eclectic Group of Captains for Saturday's Game at BYU

NORMAN — A true freshman, a redshirt freshman, a sophomore making his third career start, a backup, a transfer and a junior college transfer — Oklahoma has identified an eclectic group of captains for this week’s game at BYU.

Offensive guard Cayden Green is believed to be the first true freshman in the history of the program — at least in the modern era — to be awarded captaincy.

Running back Gavin Sawchuk, right tackle Jacob Sexton, defensive end R Mason Thomas, defensive tackle Da’Jon Terry and cornerback/linebacker Kendel Dolby are OU’s other captains this week.

Week Twelve Captains 🫡

▪️@kd_937
▪️@CaydenGreen3
▪️@G27football
▪️@Jacob_Sexton_
▪️@DaJonTerry1
▪️@thomss_r #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/zuG6FwwRoy
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 13, 2023

The 6-foot-6, 321-pound Sexton, coming off his second career start last week against West Virginia, spoke to the media on Monday night after practice and said his experience Saturday night surpassed what he’d hoped it would be as a long-time recruit out of Edmond Deer Creek.

“It was better,” Sexton said. “When you sit on the sideline, it’s amazing watching it and thinking in the next couple years getting to come here and actually play. Man, I don’t think there’s anything like that. There’s nothing I can compare that to.”

Sexton stayed on the depth chart last year as a true freshman, then drew his first career start in the Cheez-It Bowl at left tackle after Anton Harrison opted out for the NFL Draft. But Sexton got hurt in pregame warmups and tried to play, but was unable to complete the Sooners’ first series. He had offseason knee surgery, then worked his way back onto the depth chart and was in the starting lineup against WVU when right tackle Tyler Guyton was a late scratch.

“Man, I had a great time,” Sexton said. “Once in a lifetime experience, getting to see my name up on the board after the game in videos was pretty cool. I really enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity. Glad I got to get it.”

When the No. 14-ranked Sooners (8-2) and Cougars (5-5) tangle on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT inside LaVell Edwards Stadium, Sexton will see himself on the board again as an OU captain.

“That’s huge,” he said. “I’ve dreamed about stuff like this. Seeing that come up, I was so excited.”

"He was really impressive," said right guard McKade Mettauer. "We did a good job of communicating. I live with Jacob so I told him not to stress out, that I was going to tell him what to do, which I didn’t have to a lot of the game. Playing next to me gave him the ability to just play. He didn’t have to think about a lot of things. Even if I wasn’t there, he was going to be able to do it himself. I think he was able to play more free with the help that I was giving him.

"Technique-wise, he had a great game, his double teams with the tight ends were really good, pass pro was really good. Playing next to him this week is going to be awesome again. I didn’t feel like any pressure, like I was going to have to do more than I had been being next to him, which was good. I just think he’s going to continue to grow the more that he plays. Right tackle is a really good fit for him even though he’s been playing left the whole season. He fit right in at right tackle perfectly."

Sexton is equally impressed by Green’s ascension to the captaincy this week as well.

“It’s huge,” Sexton said. “That dude put in some work before the season started and I think we’ve all been really impressed by him. The entire offensive line room, we really love him. He’s a great dude. I’m excited to see him out there.”

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