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Oklahoma

Crimson Countdown: No. 78 Luke Baklenko

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo06/13/25BPrzybylo
Syndication: The Oklahoman
offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh watches players before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2025 Oklahoma football season. Everybody wants to forget about 2024 and move forward.

Head coach Brent Venables and staff have attempted to do that. New face calling the offense (Ben Arbuckle). Venables calling the defense, it’s now or never for this regime at OU in the SEC. No beating around the bush.

Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.

Crimson Countdown: No. 78 Luke Baklenko

2024 stats: Played in 11 games, started nine, 646 snaps

2025 outlook:

OU will try to make it happen one more time at Stanford. The Sooners, obviously, struck gold with Walter Rouse two years ago. Let’s try it again.

Baklenko, if nothing else, brings some legitimate Power 4 experience as an offensive lineman. And at best, he’s one of the answers for the Sooners at the tackle position.

We know offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh will tinker with the group as long as he thinks it’s necessary. That’s going to give Baklenko the chances to try to bust on through and be the guy, and we’ll see if he is.

There wasn’t a lot of Baklenko chatter during spring, but he was also adjusting to everything in Norman. And outside of Troy Everett, it was tough to have someone give the pulse of the room.

Baklenko is durable and will certainly keep the room competitive. We’ll see if he can be more than that.

2025 offensive tackle outlook

There is depth at the spot for OU. The question is about the quality. How good will some of these guys be? Whether it’s the development of guys like Logan Howland and Jacob Sexton, or the transfer additions of Derek Simmons and Luke Baklenko. Then, of course, there is the freshman stud waiting in the wings with Michael Fasusi. You feel confident the Sooners are going to find two guys to be the pillars for 2025. The legitimate question is simply how long will it take for OU to find the right two at tackle and right five with the line?

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