It's a versatile line

Despite losses, O-Line might still be strength

By John Shinn

Oklahoma running-game coordinator and offensive line coach Kevin Wilson loves competition. If you’re going to play on the Sooners’ offensive line, you better have a fondness for it.

Because trying to nail down a two-deep chart at the position is nearly impossible. Every practice is an opportunity to move up or down.

“Offensive line is always the same,” senior guard Kelvin Chaisson said. “You have new guys coming in with guys that have played a lot. We’re all fighting for spots.”

It’s a big switch from last season when the Sooners returned their entire line. There was competition, but not much movement. But Jammal Brown, Wes Sims and Vince Carter have departed. On paper, it leaves both tackle spots and center open, along with a huge hole in the experience department.

But that’s not the way Wilson sees it.

“I’ve got four seniors right now that are starting and are going to play significantly if they don’t all start,” Wilson said. “They’ve all played in big games and have played for two, three and going now into four years.”

That starts with senior Davin Joseph. An All-Big 12 selection last season at guard, he will move out to left tackle this season. Joseph could always move back and Wilson likes the versatility.

“I wanted to come out of spring making sure we had a good guy on the blind side of the quarterback,” Wilson said of Joseph’s move. “Will he stay there? I don’t know. We’re not going to have a revolving door, but if a young person is significant and it frees him to go to the right side or go back inside, maybe that plays out.

“That’s not the plan, but there’s enough talent with some of those big young pups that maybe it gives Davin the flexibility to maybe kick inside for us a little bit, too.”

Seniors Kelvin Chaisson and Chris Bush both return and will be pillars inside.

Bush will start at center and Chaisson with start at one of the guard spots. But like Joseph, they can play just about anywhere.

“We all pretty much know every position,” Bush said.

Senior Chris Chester has made the move to offensive line this season and has moved to the top of the depth chart at the left guard spot. He can also play center.

Akim Millington is the youngster of the starting group. He’s just a sophomore, but at 6-5 and 306 pounds, he has the size to hold down the right tackle spot.

Junior Chris Messner is working at both the left and right tackle spots. A pair of freshmen, George “Duke” Robinson and Brandon Braxton are a pair of highly touted recruits that could see significant time this season.

Freshman Jon Cooper is a solid prospect at center and J.D. Quinn could be a force at guard.

Chaisson is well aware of the youngsters’ talent.

“You have to earn it every year. Nothing is guaranteed,” he said. “Me, Davin and Bush have been playing for a while, but there’s still nothing guaranteed. The young guys coming up are pushing us.”

There are some big pieces missing from last season’s offensive puzzle, but that doesn’t mean OU expects problems.

“We lose experience and savvy,” Wilson said, “but our talent level is as strong as it was a year ago or two years ago.”

John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com