The Oklahoma Sooners aren't just looking in the Transfer Portal for more depth along the offensive line, but even in their own locker room.
OU redshirt freshman Ace Hodges revealed with a post on X on Saturday that he's switching across the trenches from defensive tackle to center for the 2026 season as the Sooners have been trying to add depth along the offensive front.
Ace Hodges switching positions for Oklahoma
DT 🔜 Center #Team132 @OU_Football #OLine #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/uIPKkiis6g
— Ace Hodges #65 (@ace_hodges) January 17, 2026
This won't be a blow for the Sooners on the defensive side of the ball considering how deep they are at defensive tackle and that Hodges never actually made an impact there anyway. However, if Hodges even contributes a little bit on the offensive side of the ball, then it will be a productive move for Brent Venables to make.
Hodges has appeared in just one game in two years at Oklahoma. His lone appearance was in the 2024 season opener against Temple as a true freshman. Although Hodges redshirted in 2024, he somehow saw even less playing time this past season while never seeing the field, so switching positions was probably the only way for Hodges to maybe be a productive member of his team. He once again would have been buried on the depth chart at defensive tackle.
Hodges started on both sides of the line at Casady School in Oklahoma City. It's also worth noting that he was a heavyweight wrestler in high school, so has the footwork to find success on the offensive line.
At center, the Sooners will return starter Jake Maikkula and Gunnar Allen, who was listed as the backup there by the end of the season after multiple injuries. OU also brought in Western Kentucky transfer Caleb Nitta out of the Transfer Portal. Nitta, who will be a redshirt junior in 2026, started nine games at center this past season for Western Kentucky. That experience will likely have Notta as the Sooners' backup center for next season, while Allen and Hodges will provide even more depth at a position that tends to suffer a lot of injuries for the Sooners.