Oklahoma Sooners Are Already Working on Bolstering Their Offensive Line for the 2027 Season and Beyond
The Oklahoma Sooners have long been known for their high-powered offenses and elite play at the quarterback position. From Baker Mayfield to Kyler Murray, to more recently Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams, the Sooners have produced some of the most dynamic signal-callers in college football history. However, as Oklahoma prepares for its move to the SEC in 2025, one area that has become a focal point of improvement is the offensive line. While the Sooners have historically been able to recruit and develop talented quarterbacks and skill players, it is their offensive line that may ultimately determine whether they can compete at the highest level in the SEC.
With an eye on the future, Oklahoma’s coaching staff has already begun laying the groundwork for the 2027 season and beyond by aggressively pursuing offensive line recruits, improving their development programs, and establishing a culture that prioritizes the trenches. The move to the SEC, a league known for its physicality and dominance in the line of scrimmage, makes bolstering the offensive line a critical step for head coach Brent Venables and the Sooners as they prepare for an elevated level of competition.
In this article, we will examine the current state of the Oklahoma offensive line, the recruits and transfers the program is targeting for the 2027 season, and how the Sooners’ efforts to build a dominant offensive line will shape the program’s future in the SEC.
The Current State of Oklahoma’s Offensive Line
Before diving into the future of the offensive line, it’s important to take stock of where Oklahoma currently stands in terms of the unit’s development. Over the years, the Sooners have enjoyed varying levels of success in the trenches, with some seasons producing strong offensive line play, while others have seen noticeable struggles. In general, Oklahoma’s offensive line has been regarded as one of the better units in the Big 12, but with the Sooners’ upcoming transition to the SEC, there is a clear need for significant improvement.
Under Bill Bedenbaugh, the offensive line coach since 2013, Oklahoma has had success developing talent, but recent seasons have shown that the team must elevate its physicality to match the bigger, stronger defensive lines of SEC competition. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Sooners’ offensive line showed flashes of excellence but also struggled at times with pass protection and run-blocking consistency. Against some of the top defensive teams in the Big 12, the line was able to hold its own, but facing teams with more size and power like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU will require a much more physically dominant group.
Oklahoma’s offensive line has also been affected by injuries and inconsistency at times, making it harder to establish continuity. The team’s depth is another area of concern; while there are several talented players on the roster, the Sooners have not always been able to sustain strong play across the entire unit. This lack of depth has led to some instability, and with the SEC’s intense weekly grind, Venables knows that Oklahoma cannot afford to enter the league without a clear upgrade on the offensive line.
Building Toward 2027: The Recruitment Strategy
As the Sooners prepare for the 2025 season and their move to the SEC, they are already looking several years down the line, particularly in terms of offensive line recruitment. With an eye on the 2027 season, Oklahoma is targeting several key recruits who will help bolster their line for the years to come. These efforts are especially important given the length of time it takes to develop offensive line prospects and ensure that they are ready for the rigors of SEC play.
One of the critical areas of focus for the Sooners is securing high school talent from states known for producing elite offensive linemen. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Auburn have traditionally been able to lock down some of the best offensive line recruits from the Southeastern United States. As Oklahoma transitions into the SEC, recruiting in this region becomes even more important, and the Sooners are already positioning themselves to compete with these traditional powerhouses for top-tier linemen.
While Oklahoma has historically recruited strong in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, the challenge will be to extend that footprint into SEC-heavy recruiting regions like Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. Venables and Bedenbaugh have been hard at work establishing relationships with high school coaches and recruits in these states, making inroads that could pay off in the coming years.
In addition to traditional high school recruits, the transfer portal will be a crucial avenue for the Sooners as they aim to fill gaps and build depth on the offensive line. As the SEC’s physical demands become more apparent, transfers who have experience playing against top-tier defensive fronts could provide immediate impact for the Sooners. The program’s ability to identify and secure experienced players through the portal will be vital as they work to balance the development of younger recruits with the need for immediate help on the line.
Key 2027 Offensive Line Targets
While recruiting is a long-term process, there are several key players in the 2027 recruiting cycle that the Sooners have already set their sights on. These recruits are seen as key pieces for the future of Oklahoma’s offensive line and will be crucial in shaping the program’s ability to compete in the SEC.
One notable recruit that Oklahoma is targeting is Willie Johnson, a five-star offensive tackle out of Dallas, Texas. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at over 300 pounds, Johnson is one of the top offensive line prospects in the country. His size, agility, and raw power make him a coveted player for any program, and Oklahoma has been in the hunt for his services for some time. As a key target for the 2027 class, Johnson could become the cornerstone of the Sooners’ offensive line in the years to come.
In addition to Johnson, Oklahoma is also pursuing Marcus Jackson, a highly-rated guard from New Orleans, Louisiana, who has already garnered interest from several SEC schools. Jackson is known for his strength and tenacity in the run game, making him an ideal fit for a team looking to improve its physicality in the trenches. His recruitment will be particularly important as Oklahoma looks to add balance to its offensive line, improving both pass protection and run-blocking capabilities.
Another top target is Tyler Moore, a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle from Tallahassee, Florida, who has impressed scouts with his mobility and ability to dominate at the point of attack. As Florida has historically produced a high volume of top-tier offensive line talent, securing Moore’s commitment would be a significant win for Oklahoma in expanding its recruiting footprint and ensuring it has the necessary pieces to build a dominant offensive front.
Oklahoma is also monitoring several other talented prospects in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, all of whom could play critical roles in the Sooners’ offensive line in 2027 and beyond. The focus on offensive line talent is clear, and Oklahoma’s coaching staff is dedicated to securing commitments from the best players to ensure the program can compete at the highest level in the SEC.
Developing the Offensive Line: Strength and Conditioning
Recruiting elite talent is only one part of the equation for building a dominant offensive line. Once these players arrive on campus, the next challenge is developing them into physical, well-coached units capable of competing against the best defenses in college football.
Under Bill Bedenbaugh’s leadership, Oklahoma has consistently produced talented offensive linemen who have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL, including Orlando Brown Jr., Cody Ford, and Bobby Evans. However, as the Sooners transition to the SEC, a more physical, relentless style of play will be required to compete against the likes of Alabama and Georgia, both of which have consistently been able to dominate the trenches.
To meet these demands, Venables and Bedenbaugh are placing a renewed emphasis on strength and conditioning. The goal is to not only develop the size and strength needed to compete with SEC defensive lines, but also to enhance agility, speed, and endurance, ensuring that Oklahoma’s offensive linemen are able to maintain their effectiveness throughout the course of a grueling season.
Venables’ defensive background has undoubtedly influenced this focus on conditioning, as he understands the importance of building a team that is physically prepared for the SEC’s demanding schedule. This approach will ensure that Oklahoma’s offensive line is not only talented but also capable of enduring the physical toll of playing in the SEC.
Looking Ahead to the SEC
As Oklahoma prepares for the 2025 season and its move to the SEC, the importance of developing a dominant offensive line cannot be overstated. The physicality of the SEC will challenge Oklahoma’s offensive line like never before, and the Sooners must be ready to compete at a higher level. By focusing on recruiting top-tier offensive line talent and emphasizing physical development, Oklahoma is setting itself up for success not only in the 2027 season but also in the years beyond.
While the Sooners’ offensive line has room for improvement, the steps being taken today—through recruiting, development, and strategic planning—are aimed at ensuring Oklahoma is well-equipped to handle the physical challenges that await in the SEC. If Oklahoma can continue to improve its offensive line, it will be poised to make a seamless transition to the SEC and remain a powerhouse in college football for years to come.
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