Raym can be center of attention on OU line
NORMAN — Early in spring practice, OU football coach Lincoln Riley went through the list of players getting work at center as the Sooners work to find a replacement for Creed Humphrey.
Riley went through four names — Chris Murray, Ian McIver, Robert Congel and Nate Anderson.
Andrew Raym wasn’t among that group.
But speaking Wednesday, three days before OU’s Saturday spring game, which kicks off at 4 p.m. and will be televised on Bally Sports Oklahoma, Raym appears to be getting not only a hard look at the spot but might be in best position to start the season there.
“I’ve worked myself into a center spot now and I’m taking those reps with the first team,” Raym said. “I love center. I love being out there commanding the offense.”
Humphrey’s departure leaves a significant hole to fill for Bill Bedenbaugh’s group and finding that replacement has been at the top of the Sooners’ offensive priority list through the spring.
Raym, a Broken Arrow product, didn’t see time at center in high school, making his debut at the position at the Under Armour All-America Game in January 2020.
Last season, he worked exclusively at guard, seeing action at left guard in a reserve role and carving out a role on special teams as well as he played in 10 games as a freshman.
Though the Sooners had Tyrese Robinson and Marquis Hayes, who ultimately started every game last year
“He’s doing a heck of a job right now. He’s got to just relax and play. He’s unbelievably talented. We know that.”
Bill Bedenbaugh
OU offensive line coach, on Andrew Raym
and combined for 47 starts over the last two seasons, Bedenbaugh said Raym looked like he was going to force his way into the lineup last season before being forced out due to COVID-19 contact tracing protocols and then some other factors that kept him off the field for stretches which “never really allowed him to gain the consistency to be on the field in a full-time role,” Bedenbaugh said.
“It wasn’t like a guy that’s played here and been here three years and misses a week or 10 days,” Bedenbaugh said.
“They’re devastating to a young guy that hadn’t been here. But yeah, he’s doing a heck of a job right now. He’s got to just relax and play.
“He’s unbelievably talented. We know that.”
One of the biggest adjustments of his first season with the Sooners was handling the expectations that come along with playing in college, especially with an offensive line that has developed the reputation OU’s has had under Bedenbaugh over the last eight seasons.
“He demands perfection,” Raym said. “And honestly, what else could I ask for? … If you got a good rep, he’s going to tell you what to do to make it great. And if you got a bad rep, he’s going to tell you how to make it great as well. So you’re always being pushed. There’s never a comfort zone, and I love it that way. I know my offensive linemen do as well.”
Early in camp, most of Raym’s time at center came with extra work after practice, working on his snapping technique.
But as camp has progressed, he’s gotten more and more time there.
“Coming after Creed, those are some big shoes to fill,” Raym said. “But he left us with a lot of information and taught us a lot last year, me especially.
“I feel like I’m ready to play. I’m going to be straight out there in the middle.”