Oklahoma will operate with a pair of true freshman bookends on the offensive line Saturday, as multiple sources have confirmed to OUInsider.com that Ryan Fodje is expected to draw his first career start at right tackle.
Fodje, a former four-star recruit out of Bridgeland High School in Cypress, Texas, has appeared in all seven games this season for Oklahoma. The 6-foot-5, 322-pounder has been a regular on the Sooners’ field-goal unit, but he’s also seen a total of 109 offensive snaps. Over half of those snaps (56) came in OU’s season opener against Illinois State, in which Fodje played the majority of the game at right guard.
Sources indicated to OUInsider.com that Fodje began taking regular reps at right tackle on Wednesday. Sixth-year senior Derek Simmons suffered an injury during Tuesday’s practice, which prompted the Oklahoma staff to slide Fodje out from guard to tackle. It’s a natural position for the young lineman, as he primarily played right tackle throughout his high school career, and only moved inside upon arriving in Norman.
The only other fully healthy tackles on Oklahoma’s roster are fellow true freshman Michael Fasusi, who’s emerged as the Sooners’ starter at left tackle ever since Jacob Sexton went down with an injury, and junior Luke Baklenko. Baklenko is a swing tackle who’s seen action on both the left and right sides of the Oklahoma line this season. Simmons is not expected to be available Saturday, and though redshirt sophomore Logan Howland is likely to suit up, he’s still getting back to 100 percent in his recovery from a high ankle sprain. Redshirt freshman guard Daniel Akinkunmi is an emergency option for Oklahoma; he played one snap against Texas at left tackle.
When Fasusi and Fodje signed with Oklahoma last December, many expected that they’d one day work opposite one another as the Sooners’ starting tackles. Few could have imagined that they would be thrust into those roles just eight games into their respective collegiate careers. But as the Sooners prepare for battle against No. 8 Ole Miss, that is the reality of the situation. The pair of former top-100 prospects will be charged with protecting John Mateer as Oklahoma hunts a statement win at home.
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