Oklahoma Sooners news: OL injuries lingering, Moser on a Thunder atmosphere and more

OL injuries lingering

It looks as if the Oklahoma Sooners will be forced to start two freshmen at offensive tackle again during their road trip to play No. 14 Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday.

Derek Simmons, OU's usual starter at right tackle, was listed as doubtful on the initial SEC Availability Report ahead of Oklahoma-Tennessee. He also missed last week against Ole Miss with an ankle injury, and in his place, freshman Ryan Fodje made his first career start. Fellow freshman Michael Fasusi also assumed his usual role as the Sooners' starting left tackle on the other side.

The Sooners will also again be without offensive linemen Troy Everett, Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor.

Porter Moser on a Thunder atmosphere

After attendance issues last year, OU men's basketball coach Porter Moser pleaded with fans that his team needs Lloyd Noble Center full this season and even pointed to the Oklahoma City Thunder as the perfect example. However, the Thunder earned that crowd through winning as NBA champions.

“We need your help. We need people’s help,” Moser said. “We have to fill Lloyd Noble. We have to get that atmosphere. "We have no better example on the globe of high-level basketball, of what a fan base can do, than the Thunder. That atmosphere is the best in the sport of basketball. Hands down. I’ve played in every college venue. I’ve watched pro. I’ve been to games from my hometown Chicago when the Bulls were on their run. I've never seen an atmosphere like a Thunder game.

“It makes a difference. I don’t think there’s a sport that makes a difference more than basketball — and I’m biased — because it’s right on top of you. In this league (SEC), to be the best of the best and to go where we wanna go, we need your help to be whenever we’re going.”

Sooners closing in on two running backs

The Sooners are in the mix for not one, but two different top-15 running backs from two different classes.

With the firing of James Franklin, Penn State commit Messiah Mickens is looking at other options, including the Sooners. According to the 247Sports Composite, Mickens, a four-star recruit, is the No. 13 running back in the 2026 class and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Pennsylvania out of Harrisburg High School.

Mickens even recently posted a picture of himself in an OU uniform outside of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium while tagging four-star wide receiver Jahsiear Rogers, who recently flipped from Penn State to OU.

The Sooners were also included in the top 5 for 2027 four-star running back Jerry “Andrew” Beard II. OU was still in the mix with Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Georgia Tech.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Beard is the No. 5 running back in the 2027 class and No. 83 overall prospect in the country. He’s also the 14th-best player in the state of Georgia out of Prince Avenue Christian School.