Brent Venables explains how he's preparing young players due to opt outs

As Oklahoma coach Brent Venables gets his team ready for the Cheez-It Bowl, he’ll be missing a few key pieces due to opt outs. Offensive linemen Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris, running back Eric Gray and defensive lineman Jalen Redmond have all made their intentions to enter the 2023 NFL Draft clear, though the latter two have not yet announced if they will opt out of the bowl game.

Additionally, a number of Sooners have also entered the transfer portal, highlighted by receiver Theo Wease. Despite this, Venables isn’t too worried about his team’s depth as they prepare to take on Florida State.

“I think the guys that are looking to get in the portal and will get in the portal, we have Theo Wease, he’s looking to be a starter somewhere,” the coach said. “The other guys have not really been able to carve out a niche and do not contribute in any way in regards to on the field play. So the guys, in regards to playing, are gonna be the guys who have played all year.”

“(Jalen Redmond) on defense is the one who’s gonna get ready for the Senior Bowl and he was in a group of guys that rotated all year. Then on offense, fortunately, we’ve been able to get Jovantae Barnes really good time. Marcus (Major) was a little bit banged up late and we’re hoping to have him back there at running back as well.”

Venables went on to highlight the valuable opportunity this will be for young players on the offensive line with Harrison and Morris sitting out. That is especially true at both tackle spots, where Harrison and Morris were both starters. Tyler Guyton and freshman Jacob Sexton could potentially slide into those spots.

But Venables expects a number of different players to see time, and pointed out the challenge that they will face against a stout Seminoles pass rush that has 34 sacks this season.

“Then again, the young offensive linemen along with Tyler Guyton, we’ll have a good group of guys there at tackle that will be able to step in and do a great job,” the coach said. “They’re just looking for opportunity. They’ll have almost a spring ball’s worth of practice, give or take 17 practices, to be able to refine their skills and get ready for this game.

“They’re gonna have a great, great challenge. They’re gonna get baptized quickly. Jared Verse is one of the premier defensive end pass rushers in all of college football. They’re gonna have length, speed and experience everywhere on both sides of the ball.”

Ultimately, there could still be more opt outs, but Brent Venables is confident in the players behind his starters to step up in that case. Kickoff for the Cheez-It Bowl is set for 4:30 p.m. CT on Dec. 29 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.