Crimson Countdown: No. 64 Joshua Bates
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2023 Oklahoma football season. It’s the second season under head coach Brent Venables and expectations are high once again. The Sooners are looking to rebound from the uncharacteristic 6-7 season in 2022.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 98 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 64 Joshua Bates
2022 stats: N/A
2023 Outlook: Oklahoma’s center signee in the 2023 class may not be forced into an immediate role but there’s no denying he’s a key piece of the future. His reviews his spring for the Sooners are a tough guy that loves to mix it up. Beyond that he is more than willing to get as chippy as is required.
In short, he’s a near ideal center with his powerful frame and ability to get underneath massive SEC defensive tackles. The Sooners have a quality two-deep at the position with Andrew Raym and Troy Everett. But it will be interesting to see how much Oklahoma works to push him into the rotation later in games.
Bates’s role in 2023 figures to be muted but could be a key part in figuring out what his role will be in year one in the SEC and beyond.
2023 interior offensive lineman outlook
Oklahoma returns some good production on the interior offensive line in senior center Raym and redshirt senior McKade Mettauer. But it also welcomes a couple new players from the transfer portal in Miami Ohio’s Caleb Shaffer and Appalachian State’s Everett. There are high expectations for redshirt sophomore Savion Byrd, who made is first start in the Cheez-It Bowl to end last season. While Raym and Mettauer return, it feels as though all three interior spots could be up for grabs this fall.
