We still have an u23 squad of sorts and arrange friendlies as and when. Fringe 1st team squad players and those coming back from injury will play in those also if they need matches.
theres an U23s Fa cup competition, but OUFC U23s haven't progressed far in it ... the U23s 'friendlies' are few and far between (sadly)
PJT gets a few youngsters , those not punted out on loan, a few minutes in cameo appearances
there is an EFL Professional Development League North .... and Professional Development League South
From L1 level or below Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan, Ipswich, Crewe and Colchester all have U23 sides in those two leagues ( alongside Championship club U23 sides)
then there's the Professional Development National League fed into via promotion/ playoffs from , and with relegation to, the South and North leagues
instead of developing youngsters then discarding them at 18 .... why not continue to develop our own players by entering an U23 side- even if its in the main more of an U21 side) in a 'competitive' league.... up n coming players would continue be developed into playing the Oxford United way, and if required,due to injuries etc, be ready (ish) to slot into the first-team squad if called on ...... developing our own is supposed to be part of the OUFC model, yet apart from being punted out (to get match time), the minimal amount of OUFC U23/ Dev squad matches isn't, to me, much in the way of development ..... cmon OUFC get a (young) U23 dev squad in one of the leagues