The Oklahoma Sooners’ spring camp, a critical time for players to make their mark and solidify their roles heading into the 2025 season, has been marred by unsettling news concerning a recurring issue within the program. Sources inside the program have confirmed that the team’s ongoing struggles at a particular position group have resurfaced, casting a shadow over the early days of camp.
The position group in question? The offensive line.
For several seasons, the Oklahoma Sooners have faced challenges with the consistency and depth of their offensive line, a unit that is crucial to both the running game and the protection of the quarterback. And it seems that history is repeating itself yet again as the team struggles with key injuries and depth concerns that have left coaches, players, and fans anxious about the upcoming season.
A Pattern of Injuries and Depth Issues
Although Oklahoma’s offense has been consistently high-powered, much of its success in recent years has been tied to the explosive playmakers in the backfield and at quarterback. However, the inability to establish a consistently dominant offensive line has been a frustrating theme for the Sooners. The 2025 spring camp has brought a stark reminder of these concerns, as injuries have already started to take a toll on the group.
Several key players in the offensive line have been sidelined due to nagging injuries. Junior tackle Tyler Griffin, a projected starter, has been dealing with persistent knee issues that are limiting his participation. Meanwhile, sophomore Jake Turner, a rising star at guard, has been out with a lingering back injury that dates back to last season. Both players are expected to be pivotal in shaping the offensive line’s performance, and their absences are forcing coaches to shuffle personnel in an attempt to maintain depth.
“Spring camp is when we want to be building chemistry and continuity,” said head coach Brett Venables in a press conference earlier this week. “It’s unfortunate that we’re dealing with some injuries again, but we have the depth in this program to weather these kinds of challenges. Our coaches are doing everything they can to make sure we’re getting the right players in the right spots.”
Rebuilding the Offensive Line: A Matter of Urgency
The need to stabilize the offensive line has never been more urgent for the Sooners. With an offensive system that relies heavily on both the passing and running games, maintaining solid protection for quarterbacks like Zane Smith, a redshirt freshman, will be paramount for Oklahoma’s offensive success in 2025.
Yet, despite the challenges, the Sooners are not without hope. Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, who has been with the program for several years, remains confident that the younger players in the group can rise to the occasion. Bedenbaugh has long been praised for his ability to develop talent, but the recurring struggles to maintain elite level play in the trenches have raised questions about the long-term sustainability of the unit.
“I’m confident in the guys we have,” Bedenbaugh said. “We’ve got young talent, and I think some of these guys are ready to step up. But it’s all about consistency. It’s about being healthy, staying healthy, and learning from the mistakes we’ve made in the past.”
While the team’s depth has been a bright spot in recent seasons, it’s clear that the Sooners have yet to establish a dominant, unshakeable offensive line—an issue that will only become more pressing as the season draws near.
What This Means for the Upcoming Season
With the spring practices winding down, the time for experimentation is limited. The clock is ticking for head coach Brett Venables and his staff to figure out the most effective line combination and ensure that players who are nursing injuries will be ready for the start of the season. A lack of depth or continued injury struggles in the offensive line could not only hinder Oklahoma’s offensive production but also affect the overall success of the team as a whole.
For a program like Oklahoma, with high aspirations to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff, any setback in the offensive line could have major ramifications. The Sooners have championship expectations, and for that to become a reality, they need to find stability and resilience in the trenches.
As head coach Brett Venables noted, “In the Big 12, where everyone’s looking to put up big numbers, we know that if we can dominate the line of scrimmage, we’re going to have a chance to do something special. But we have to stay healthy, and we have to continue developing.”
For now, the Sooners are hoping that these injuries and depth issues are just temporary setbacks, but it’s clear that the offensive line remains a major question mark. Spring camp is critical, and the road ahead is uncertain. Oklahoma will need to make some difficult decisions—and hope that their offensive line can remain a solid, consistent force when the season kicks off.
