The Oklahoma Sooners will rely on inexperienced linemen due to injuries.
As they reflect on the 2024 college football season, injuries on the offensive side will be a significant storyline for the Oklahoma Sooners. Currently, the team is facing additional injury challenges.
Brent Venables announced in his weekly press conference that starting offensive lineman Jacob Sexton will be sidelined for an extended period due to an injury sustained against Ole Miss. Additionally, Jake Taylor, who has been a key player at right tackle for most of the season, is also unavailable.
Although Michael Tarquin has emerged as the Sooners’ top offensive lineman this year, the team will need to rely on younger players to step in at left tackle against Maine and potentially in future games. Logan Howland will continue to play following his appearance at the end of Saturday’s game, and true freshman Isaiah Autry-Dent will also get a chance to contribute during the final four games of the season.
According to the new redshirt rules, players can participate in four games and a bowl game without affecting their redshirt status. The Oklahoma Sooners have four games left, making it an ideal time to assess players like Autry-Dent.
Venables mentioned that the former three-star recruit has been named scout team lineman of the week multiple times in 2024. This week will mark Autry-Dent’s first game of the season, and the Sooners need to determine a solution for the left tackle position if Sexton is sidelined for more than just this week.
After playing Maine, the Sooners will face Missouri, followed by a bye week. Post-bye, Oklahoma will host Alabama before embarking on a significant road trip to LSU.
