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Sooners' offensive MIPs: No. 3

Several players will decide the success of the Oklahoma Sooners this fall.

Some Sooners will have more of an impact than others and will be counted on to be the foundation of the squad in 2014. This week we’ll count down the five most important players on offense, taking into account their expected contribution, the quality of their backups and their previous production. On Wednesday we continue with No. 3.

No. 3: OT Daryl Williams, senior

2013 role: Williams was named All-Big 12 second team after starting all 12 regular-season games at right tackle before shifting to left tackle in the Allstate Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. It was his first season without any games missed due to injury during his OU career. Williams was a rock on a Sooners offensive line littered with injuries and even showed some versatility with his move to left tackle against the Crimson Tide.

Expected 2014 role: Williams should be battling for All-Big 12 first-team honors while serving as the anchor of OU’s offensive line. He will be an important player in both the running game and passing game as the Sooners look to be balanced with quarterback Trevor Knight and a bunch of talented running backs.

Why he’s important: He’s talented and experienced, making him the perfect player to help lead the offensive line during his fifth year in Norman. Just as important, Williams is starting to emerge as a veteran leader on the squad, a role that will be critical on an offense with young players manning several of the skill positions.

If he was missing: The Sooners would have Josiah St. John and Derek Farniok to step into his spot along the offensive line, but his leadership and experience would be missed. He’s played in 32 career games, so he’s seen things and experienced situations that just aren’t easy to replace. He has a veteran voice that would definitely be missed if he wasn’t in the equation.

The list

No. 4: OL Nila Kasitati

No. 5: FB Aaron Ripkowski