With five games left in the regular season, Oklahoma’s coaching staff, led by head coach Brent Venables, faces a critical decision regarding true freshman offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis. The Sooners have been grappling with inconsistent offensive line play, prompting discussions on whether to burn Pierre-Louis’ redshirt status in order to bolster the line for the remainder of the season.
Pierre-Louis, a highly-touted recruit and four-star prospect, was ranked as the No. 15 interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. So far, he has only appeared in one game this season, during Oklahoma’s season opener against Temple on August 30, where he logged nine snaps at right guard late in the game. Since then, he has not been called upon, but his potential impact down the stretch has become a point of focus for the coaching staff.
According to NCAA redshirt rules, a player can participate in up to four games without losing their redshirt eligibility. Pierre-Louis could still play in three of Oklahoma’s remaining five games while retaining his redshirt status. However, if he appears in more than four games, the redshirt would be burned, and he would officially lose a year of eligibility.
During the weekly SEC coaches teleconference, Venables acknowledged that the decision isn’t easy and has been a topic of ongoing deliberation within the coaching staff. “There will be real issues that you have to be prepared to accept when you put a young guy in there,” Venables said. However, he also emphasized the excitement around Pierre-Louis’ development and readiness. “He’s been running with the twos; he’s gotten a ton of valuable reps in practice, and expeditiously you’ve seen him get better as the season’s gone on. (He’s) more confident, more aggressive, more physical.”
The Sooners’ offensive line has shown areas of inconsistency throughout the season, which has led to these serious considerations about utilizing Pierre-Louis more in key games ahead. His physicality and improvement in practice have made him a tempting option for Venables and the coaching staff as they aim to shore up the trenches in pursuit of a strong finish to the season. The decision to play him, however, comes with the understanding that it could sacrifice a year of his eligibility, a move that could have long-term implications for both the player and the program.
Ultimately, the decision regarding Pierre-Louis’ redshirt will hinge on Oklahoma’s immediate needs and whether the coaching staff believes his contributions could significantly impact the team’s success in the final stretch of the season.
