Just as defensive tackle Gracen Halton and wide receiver Deion Burks still being available Day 3 seemed like the biggest surprise of the 2026 NFL Draft for Oklahoma fans, offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu was shockingly the second Sooner off the board when the Houston Texans snatched him early in the fourth round with the 106th overall pick.
Nwaiwu's versatility, which OU general manager Jim Nagy also values tremendously, ultimately made him worth reaching for as a guy who most recent mock drafts had going in the fifth round or later. During his college football career between North Texas and Oklahoma, Nwaiwu made multiple starts at every position along the offensive line.
Febechi Nwaiwu surprises as 2nd Sooner off the board for 2026 NFL Draft
After three years at North Texas, where he walked on before being named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team and making starts at both spots on the right side of the line, Nwaiwu transferred to OU in 2024 to make the jump to the Power Four. He immediately started all 13 games at right guard for the Sooners and became OU's most consistent offensive lineman the past two seasons. He never missed a game during his two seasons with the Sooners.
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Nwaiwu again assumed his spot at right guard as a redshirt senior last season, but when starting center Jake Maikkula was injured, Nwaiwu filled in there flawlessly for the final two games of the season, which included a win over LSU that clinched OU a spot in the College Football Playoff and that first-round CFP matchup against Alabama. It was the first time he played center in his college career.
He finished 2025 as an All-SEC Second-Team selection by the conference's coaches and was a Burlsworth Trophy finalist, which goes to the best college football player who began their career as a walk-on. OU also gave Nwaiwu the Don Key Award, which is the program’s highest annual honor.
That proven versatility and consistency just earned Nwaiwu a lot of money after going earlier than most expected and will likely provide him job security because the Texans can always find a spot for him.
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