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Oklahoma Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 10 : Fullback Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks September 10, 2016 at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Warhawks 59-17. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 10 : Fullback Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks September 10, 2016 at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Warhawks 59-17. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma football has high expectations heading into the 2017 season, but how will the Sooners fare without Bob Stoops?

When the 2016 season began, it looked like the Oklahoma Sooners would be favorites to get back to the College Football Playoff. They were returning plenty of talent, including a Heisman candidate at quarterback, and the running back depth was endless.

However, the Sooners lost the opener to Tom Herman’s Houston Cougars before rebounding with a blowout victory over UL-Monroe. The following week, Ohio State came to town and beat the Sooners by three touchdowns. The season looked lost and they hadn’t even reached conference play yet.

Things turned around quickly, though. Oklahoma went on an impressive run, winning nine straight conference games en route to a top-10 ranking by the end of the season. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to make it to the College Football Playoff, so the Sooners settled for the Sugar Bowl in which they defeated Auburn, 35-19.

Now that the 2017 season is right around the corner and key pieces are returning, the Sooners may be a title contender once again. However, they’ll have to do it without Bob Stoops who recently retired, giving way to Lincoln Riley.

Let’s take a look at the projected two-deep depth chart for 2017.

Offensive Line

Starting tackles: Orlando Brown (LT), Bobby Evans (RT)
Backups: Quinn Mittermeier (LT), Dru Samia (RT)

The entire offensive line from last season returns which gives the Sooners a leg up on the rest of the conference. Orlando Brown is back at left tackle and might just be the best in the nation. Bobby Evans is an All-Big 12 candidate at right tackle, forming a formidable duo with Brown. These two are unquestioned starters on the line. Juniors Dru Samia and Quinn Mittermeier are there in case of injury, or if one of the aforementioned starters need a break.

Starting guards: Ben Powers (LG), Dru Samia (RG)
Backups: Cody Ford (LG), Alex Dalton (RG)

Ben Powers is yet another all-conference candidate at left guard. He returns after being a solid fixture of the interior line last season while previously-mentioned backup right tackle Dru Samia is projected to start at right guard. Sophomore Cody Ford and junior Alex Dalton provide depth and they may need to be available if Samia is forced to start at tackle.

Starting center: Erick Wren
Backup: Jonathan Alvarez

Senior Erick Wren is back at center and looks to be a leader of this solid unit. He will anchor the middle of the offensive line and his backup, Jonathan Alvarez, also returns for his senior season.

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