In Oklahoma’s regular-season finale, Brian Lepak became the third different player to start at center for the Sooners.
Following an injury that occurred during a recent practice, that number will jump by one when the Sooners take the field New Year’s Eve for the Sun Bowl.
According to head coach Bob Stoops, Lepak suffered a sprained knee in practice over the weekend and will not likely be available for the bowl game against Stanford. Instead, All-American tackle Trent Williams will slide waaayyy over and replace Lepak on the interior of the line.
“He just got rolled up. We were in our inside drill, and somebody -- we have knee braces on and all -- just rolled into him,” Stoops said. “It’s a sprain, unsure of the degree. We’ll just have to see.”
Stoops didn’t even want to think about how many players he’s been forced to use at the position this season.
“I’m done counting them,” Stoops said. “Too many.”
Right tackle Cory Brandon will replace Williams on the left side, while converted tight end Eric Mensik will fill in for Brandon on the right side.
Williams himself missed the regular-season finale because of a concussion, but, given the spate of injuries at the position this year, he’s worked at the position off and on during practice throughout the season, so the position will not be completely foreign to him.