Position Preview: Offensive Line

Experienced O-Line (GP/GS)
Player	2017	Career
Jonathan Alvarez	0/0	21/13
Alex Dalton	0/0	13/1
Bobby Evans	14/14	26/26
Cody Ford	12/4	15/7
Quinn Mittermeier	12/0	25/0
Ben Powers	14/12	25/22
Dru Samia	13/12	38/34

NORMAN — Oklahoma's offensive line unit was regarded as one of the best in the country in 2017 under the direction of co-offensive coordinator Bill Bedenbaugh. It will try to repeat that effectiveness in 2018 with plenty of veterans returning and a wealth of touted underclassmen ready for their shot.

Bedenbaugh, a finalist for the 2017 Frank Broyles Award (presented to the nation's top assistant coach), voiced his enthusiasm Thursday about the returners and talented newcomers in the mix for playing time in 2018.

“We've got some guys who are settling in at their positions but still have to be better,” Bedenbaugh said. “I expect a lot out of them. They have the talent and ability to be really good players. It's just about learning everything. The techniques, the assignments, all those things that go into being a good offensive lineman. We're a group that should be dominant. We're working toward that but have to keep working.”

The Sooners must replace unanimous first-team All-America left tackle and third-round draft pick Orlando Brown and first-team All-Big 12 center Erick Wren. OU will look to replace their production and leadership that helped last year's team set single-season school records for total offense (579.6 ypg; led FBS), yards per play (8.3; second all-time in FBS), passing yards per game (361.8) and completion percentage (.714; led FBS), as well as lead the country in passing efficiency rating (202.7) and first downs (361).

The line also played an integral role in the Sooners pacing the Big 12 with 217.8 rushing yards per game in 2017.

Two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 tackle Bobby Evans (6-5, 301) appears ready to step into the role of vocal leader among a group of returners with 103 combined career starts. Bedenbaugh has experimented during the spring and first half of August camp with Evans at left tackle after the Allen, Texas, product started all 26 games the past two years at right tackle.

Fellow redshirt junior Cody Ford (6-4, 338), who has been in and out of the lineup due to injury the past two seasons, has also seen time at both tackle spots in practice. Ford's action in his 15 games the last two seasons came primarily on the inside at guard.

Two other returning starters are All-Big 12 second-teamers Ben Powers (6-4, 313) and Dru Samia (6-5, 303). Both are expected to return to their primary spots at left and right guard, respectively, to anchor the interior.

Aside from the quarterback competition, the battle at center has been the talk of the offseason. Redshirt senior Jonathan Alvarez (6-3, 312) and redshirt freshman Creed Humphrey (6-5, 325) have shared first-team reps in fall camp. Alvarez, who redshirted last season, has played in 21 career games at center and left guard, making 13 starts. Humphrey, a 2017 U.S. Army All-American and four-star recruit, also redshirted last season, but coaches and teammates rave about his talent and physicality.

Head coach Lincoln Riley views the battle as more intense than the quarterback competition.

“That's the best competition out there,” said Riley this week. “Creed Humphrey is the most talented of the group and obviously Jonathan Alvarez is the most experienced.”

The O-line appears to be deep heading into 2018, with reserve lettermen Alex Dalton (6-3, 288) and Quinn Mittermeier (6-5, 294) returning this season and projected to be in the mix for playing time.

Local product Tramonda Moore (6-4, 322) was the No. 2 overall junior college recruit by Rivals and No. 1 juco tackle by 247Sports last season, and hopes to contribute on the offensive front. Bahamian David Swaby (6-9, 320), a fellow juco transfer who signed with the University of New Mexico out of high school, has three seasons of eligibility with the Sooners.

Redshirt freshmen and four-star prospects Adrian Ealy (6-6, 328) and Marquis Hayes (6-5, 351) have been waiting in the wings to step into bigger roles and hope to do just that in 2018. Other guys who could factor into the equation are redshirt sophomore tackle Erik Swenson (6-5, 315), who saw action in six games last season, and redshirt freshman guard Tyrese Robinson (6-3, 332), an Under Armour All-American and consensus four-star recruit in 2017.

Successful recruiting by Bedenbaugh and company has led to a handful of true freshman blue chip prospects who will also look to get on the field. U.S. Army All-American and five-star recruit Brey Walker (6-6, 338) and four-star prospect Darrell Simpson (6-7, 330) have had success in camp backing up the veterans and could very well lead the group of talented newcomers in coming seasons.

Players Mentioned

Jonathan Alvarez

Orlando Brown

Alex Dalton

Adrian Ealy

Bobby Evans

Cody Ford

Marquis Hayes

Creed Humphrey

Quinn Mittermeier

Ben Powers

Tyrese Robinson

Dru Samia

Darrell Simpson

David Swaby

Erik Swenson

Brey Walker

Erick Wren

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics