Video: Jeffy Lebby, Ted Roof preview 2023 Oklahoma season

With the 2023 season approaching, Oklahoma had its annual coaches luncheon Thursday at LifeChurch in Norman. Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, defensive coordinator Ted Roof, and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh all spoke to fans at the event.

The three previewed the upcoming season and gave their expectations for the Sooners in 2023, after a disappointing 2022 season. And they had some tough questions during the fan Q&A session.

Asked if Oklahoma would score against Texas this year after the offense was shutout 49-0 a year ago, Lebby replied, “If we don’t, I probably won’t be sitting here next year.”

From #Sooners Coaches Luncheon this afternoon: OU fans prefer scoring at the Cotton Bowl this year. 😅😁 pic.twitter.com/D5pobHexrR

— SoonerScoop.com (@SoonerScoop) July 27, 2023

With Dillon Gabriel returning for his second season in Norman and five-star freshman Jackson Arnold waiting in the wings, Lebby expects a big year from his quarterback room.

“Dillon has done the things he’s needed to do to put himself in a spot to go have a great year, and we’re expecting that,” Lebby said. “He needs to go play his butt off. He needs to play better than he did a year ago. And I need to call it better than I did a year ago. And the supporting cast — everybody involved will be better. That’s the expectation and we all know that.

“You hear coach V always talk about competitive depth. And competitive depth on our roster right now, we’re in a much different place today than we were a year ago. And that is also at the QB position. Signing Jackson — this is a dude that’s come in and all he’s done is come in and taken care of his business. He’s, really, exceeded expectations. You recruit a kid for so long, but you don’t know what they’re going to be like in the meeting room every single day… At some point, that young man is going to be the face of our program and everybody in this room and Sooner Nation is going to be dang proud of him.”

As for Roof, he fielded questions about where the defense can improve and which players he thinks will have breakout seasons. Roof expects safety Billy Bowman, defensive tackle Jonah Laulu, and linebacker Danny Stutsman to have big years for the Sooners as returning starters.

Roof is especially high on Stutsman, who he says has become one of Oklahoma’s biggest leaders this offseason.

“As far as from a leadership perspective, he was a guy that was trying to figure out his own job and ran around and made plays,” Roof said of Stutsman. “Now, he’s kind of put a stranglehold on our guys and gotten them together. When things go bad, he’s now a guy who jumps in and gets them going and pulls people with him.”

And lastly, Bedenbaugh was asked about what he expects from his offensive line this season. He has to replace two NFL Draft picks at both tackle spots. Bedenbaugh spoke highly of Stanford transfer Walter Rouse, who he expects to start at left tackle. And he talked about Tyler Guyton, who many believe is Oklahoma’s next top draft pick at right tackle.

Bedenbaugh said of Rouse: “Really mature, started 39 games at Stanford. He had shoulder surgery in December. He’s back healthy now. We’re going to take it slow… But a mature kid. He’s already in a leadership role. Extremely smart, inquisitive. Big, massive dude that is actually more athletic than I anticipated… Really, really excited about him.”

Bedenbaugh said of Guyton: “We’ve had some really, really talented guys. Guys that want to get to that elite level and Tyler can do it… He’s 6’7, 327 pounds and he looks like he’s 200-some pounds. I’ve never seen anything like it. He can move. And he could play tight end. He could play d-line. He’s got unlimited potential. But you’ve got to go do it.”