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How Oklahoma OL Cayden Green is Handling His Move From Offensive Tackle to Guard

The talented true freshman slid in to left guard last week in OU's 66-17 win over Tulsa.

Ryan Chapman

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NORMAN — Last week wasn’t a typical game week for Cayden Green.

The true freshman offensive lineman started his preparations to face Tulsa with an unusual request — a meeting with offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.

“I didn’t know what it was about,” Green said after practice on Monday.

As it turns out, the meeting was pretty straightforward. Bedenbaugh wanted Green, who had been playing left tackle, to bump over to left guard.

“I was, like, OK,” Green said. “As soon as I got out of the meeting, I had just got out of class and went straight to work.”

Green didn’t have much time to get adjusted as he was thrown immediately into the fire in the first half against the Golden Hurricane.

He didn’t look out of place on the field, though he did acknowledge playing tackle is a bit different than lining up at guard.

“I think schematically, it’s the same,” he said. “But technique-wise and speed of the game-wise, everything happens a lot faster with guard being closer to you.

“… Tackle, you have a second to react to everything. Guard, everything is right in your face. You’re throwing the first punch, things like that.”

For those who have had to face Green in practice every day, the ability to move along the offensive line came as no shock.

Defensive lineman Jonah Laulu said Green made an impression on him back during spring practice when even then he was able to win snaps with the starters while left tackle Walter Rouse was injured.

“He’s more comfortable now getting used to the offense, knowing all the plays,” Laulu said on Tuesday. “… You can tell he’s definitely getting more confident. Trusting his technique and everything that he’s learned from Coach (Bedenbaugh)… so I’m excited to watch him continue to grow.

“… He’s gonna be one of those o-line in the future that you’re gonna be seeing playing on Sunday’s.”

Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby said the offense will continue to rotate through various bodies at left guard this week.

The level of competition is poised to take a serious step up from Tulsa to Cincinnati. The Bearcats’ have totaled 10 sacks so far this year, which is tied for 16th in the country, and have a pair of studs along the defensive line in Dontay Corleone and Jowon Briggs.

“They have really good players,” OU coach Brent Venables said of Cincinnati’s defensive front on Tuesday. “They’re big, strong, physical, relentless. Love the way they play.”

Regardless of how much action Green sees this weekend, he’s ready for the challenge and to continue to press for playing time regardless of if he’s deployed at left tackle or left guard.

“It’s been a lot,” he said. “But I’ve spent a lot of time in the film room and off the field. I’m getting the hang of it a little bit. Guys like Savion (Byrd) and McKade (Mettauer) and even Troy (Everett) have helped me out a lot.

“… I’m preparing like I’m going to play every week. For me, it doesn’t make a difference. I’m just trying to help out my team in any way I can.”

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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is managing editor at Sooners On SI and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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