Fellow Oklahoma offensive lineman Ryan Fodje was obviously right about freshman Noah Best.
Best trotted out onto Owen Field as the Sooners' starting center for their Week 1 matchup against UTEP on Friday night. According to SoonerScoop’s George Stoia, Best became the first true freshman since Ty Darlington in 2012 to start at center for the Sooners. He's also the first freshman center to start an OU season opener since J.R. Conrad in 1992.
It will officially be Noah Best starting at center for the #Sooners tonight. He will be the first true freshman to start at center for OU since Ty Darlington in 2012.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) September 4, 2026
Best was really one of the last freshmen fans would have expected to immediately crack the starting lineup from the recent 2025 signing class, at least until his impressive fall camp that put everyone on notice, including his own teammates.
“Noah Best, I feel like he has a chance to be a starter Day 1,” Fodje said early on in fall camp. “The thing I like about him the most is how consistent he is. He doesn’t talk too much, but he’s consistent with his work.”
At that point, Best had just made the most of his opportunity going at right guard with OU’s starting unit. He stepped up when called upon while the Sooners dealt with multiple injuries along the offensive line, and he answered the same call again Friday night.
Ironically, it was likely Fodje suffering an injury that secured Best’s spot in the starting lineup. First, starting center Jake Maikkula sprained his MCL during a fall camp scrimmage, which ultimately led to Fodje sliding from right guard to center, and had Best listed as a co-starter alongside Heath Ozaeta at RG on OU’s initial depth chart, which was released Monday. But then, Fodje also injured his knee to be sidelined for Week 1, which opened up a starting opportunity for Best at both center and right guard. He then beat out Western Kentucky transfer Caleb Nitta to get the nod.
Barring more injuries, Best will likely be a depth piece the rest of the season, with Maikkula and Fodje expected to return next week for the Sooners’ trip to Michigan. He’s definitely proved his value, though, especially with the versatility he’s already shown off to line up at multiple positions.
Noah Best is a classic case of outdoing recruiting rankings
Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh certainly isn’t afraid to throw freshmen out there early to prove themselves, we just usually sense it coming from signing day. The Sooners started three freshmen up front most of last season, including a pair of true freshmen in Fodje and Michael Fasusi. They were both blue-chip prospects, with Fasusi being the headliner of the 2025 class as Oklahoma’s lone five-star signee. Fodje was a four-star recruit and also ranked as a top-15 offensive tackle in the class. It's worth mentioning, though, that neither started Week 1 last year.
Best, though, signed with the Sooners as a three-star recruit out of Midlothian High School in Texas. According to the 247Sports Composite, Best was the No. 38 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class and was even ranked well below teammate Deacon Schmitt, who was the No. 19 IOL.
This is one of those classic stories of recruiting ratings not mattering, because obviously Best is a lot more talented than what the stars suggested if Bedenbaugh trusted him enough to start him Day 1 as a freshman, just like Fodje predicted.
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