With 28 starts to his name at both guard and tackle, Michael Tarquin was one of the more experienced offensive linemen in the NCAA transfer portal market this winter.
But he's off that market now, as the former Florida Gator and USC Trojan is headed to Norman to play his final year of college football.
Bill Bedenbaugh and the Sooners had made a strong run at Tarquin when he hit the portal after the 2022 season, at which point the 6-foot-5, 300-pound behemoth had started 20 games over four years for Florida. However, Oklahoma ultimately lost out to USC for Tarquin's services, and he started eight games in 2023 for the Trojans before electing to transfer once again.
This time, Bedenbaugh and the Sooners couldn't be denied in their pursuit of Tarquin, who provides versatility and savvy in an offensive line room that desperately needs both.
Tarquin was originally a four-star prospect in the 2019 class who actually took an official visit to Oklahoma while navigating the recruitment process as a high schooler. However, he eventually chose Florida over OU and Miami, and made starts at both left guard and left tackle over the course of his career in Gainesville. Upon transferring to USC, he transitioned to right tackle for the 2023 season.
With Jacob Sexton expected to start at left tackle and Spencer Brown the early favorite at right tackle, it's likely that Tarquin will be asked to slide back to the interior when he arrives in Norman. The Sooners have to replace both starting guards heading into next season, as McKade Mettauer graduates and Cayden Green elected to transfer to Missouri. Tarquin immediately becomes a top candidate to inherit one of the guard positions, and he'll compete with the likes of Jake Taylor, Troy Everett, Heath Ozaeta and North Texas transfer Febechi Nwaiwu — among others — for the right to do so.
Not an OUInsider.com premium member? Sign up today to get loads of inside information on Oklahoma football, basketball and recruiting, all for just a few dollars a month. Click HERE to get started!
