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3 impact newcomers for Oklahoma Football in 2023

By Chris Peterson

Oct 5, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Walter Rouse (75) celebrates after the game against the Washington Huskies at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Walter Rouse (75) celebrates after the game against the Washington Huskies at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma football program is looking for a bounce-back season in 2023 and here are the three newcomers who will make the biggest impact. 

Oklahoma football was one of the biggest disappointments in all of college football last season. The Sooners looked dominant early in the year and following a crushing win over Nebraska, OU shot up the rankings. Some even viewed them as playoff contenders.

Then, the wheels fell off for Oklahoma football. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel got hurt and the Sooners got destroyed by Texas. It looked like OU might even miss a bowl game before the Sooners righted the ship and won six games.

However, a bowl loss left Oklahoma with a 6-7 record, which isn’t what folks were hoping for when elite head coach Lincoln Riley was replaced with Brent Venables, following Riley’s departure for greener pastures in LA with USC.

At this point, it’s way too early to say that Venables is on the hot seat, but if Oklahoma football has another season like the one it had in 2022, he will be. In fact, he might not survive.

The Sooners did sign a top-5 recruiting class, have a talented quarterback, and all the talent needed to compete for a Big 12 championship in 2023. Will it happen? Here are three newcomers who could have a big say on whether it does.

Left tackle Walter Rouse

Rouse was a big get for Oklahoma football in the transfer portal. Nebraska was slated to land the former starting left tackle for the Stanford Cardinal, but the Sooners were able to flip him and it was a big recruiting victory.

Rouse isn’t a five-star recruit or a huge name in the transfer portal, however, he started 39 games over the past four years at left tackle for Stanford. He’s been Honorable Mention All-Pac 12 twice and you rarely find that kind of experience on the offensive line in the transfer portal.

The Sooners needed to upgrade their offensive line and Rouse is a sure-fire starter for Oklahoma football at left tackle and will make up for the loss of Anton Harrison.

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