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Venables Criticizes Offensive Line Ahead of Red River Rivalry
Confirmed
In Short: Oklahoma coach Brent Venables expressed frustration with the team's offensive line ahead of the Red River Rivalry against No. 1 Texas on Saturday.
Venables said, 'It's been incredibly inconsistent and very disappointing.' He added that the program has done a 'very uneven job' in selecting offensive linemen.
Venables pointed to the transfer portal as a major factor in the instability of the offensive line, noting that the unit has worsened since he took over the program.
Out of five offensive line recruits in Venables' first two recruiting classes, four are no longer with the program.
Venables emphasized the critical importance of the offensive line, stating, 'That's a place that probably requires the most development of any position on your roster.'
Venables also noted that the offensive line's lack of stability is the No. 1 reason for the issues on that side of the ball.
The offense has been a persistent problem for the Sooners all season, and Venables has been vocal about his frustrations in recent weeks.
What this adds
Venables highlighted the program's decision to take only two high school offensive linemen in the Class of 2021 as an indicator of deprioritization.
What's confirmed
- "Very uneven job when it comes to choosing the guys that we've brought in here," Venables said.
What's still developing
- Oklahoma coach Brent Venables called out the state of the program's offensive line development ahead of a battle against No. 1 Texas on Saturday in the annual Red River Rivalry.
- "Way too many guys are coming and going at that position group. We need continuity and consistency to develop that group into what we want."
- The Sooners famously took only two high school offensive linemen in the Class of 2021, often cited as an indicator of deprioritization.
- Instead, the unit has only gotten worse under Venables.
- While he's given resources for Venables to have a top defense, the product on the offensive side of the ball has been lacking.
- 1 Texas Longhorns in the "Red River Rivalry" at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.