Ben Arbuckle praises Oklahoma’s offensive line for spring performance

The Oklahoma Sooners concluded spring football on Saturday with the first-ever “Crimson Combine” inside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. As OU looks to bounce back after a 6-7 season, this was their first opportunity for fans to get a look at the 2025 recruiting class and the incoming group of transfer portal acquisitions in Norman.

One area where the Sooners know they have to improve is along the offensive line. One of the biggest issues in 2024 was their inability to open up holes in the run game and protect the quarterback. OU had to replace their entire 2023 offensive line and dealt with a rash of injuries, which contributed to the lack of success.

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With a new direction on that side of the ball behind new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, Oklahoma hopes they can get back to where they need to be up front. Bill Bedenbaugh has coached that unit since 2013 and is widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football. Kevin Wilson joined the staff as an analyst and has experience coaching the offensive line as well.

Arbuckle was asked about the o-line on Saturday, prior to the Crimson Combine events on Owen Field. He said he was happy with the way the unit had stepped up in the spring.

“Unbelievable consistency in a group that is hungry to be dang good this year,” Arbuckle said. “And, you know, with Coach Bedenbaugh leading the charge in that room, I think there’s zero doubt that they’re gonna be exactly where we want them to be. They show up, and they work the right way every single day. They hold themselves to a standard of creating gaps in the run game, giving the quarterback just enough time to, bam, find that window. So I’m insanely proud of that group; they’ve been awesome.”

Many of the same names return from a season ago, with Sooner Nation hoping for improvement from those returners. Most of the excitement centers around true freshmen Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje, who reportedly have looked the part this spring. They may not start right off the bat, but they are the building blocks of the future of the Oklahoma offensive line.

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However, for the 2025 season, OU has one more opportunity to add to the roster. It comes in the spring transfer portal window, which will be open from April 16 to 25.