So much for the Oklahoma Sooners entering the 2026 college football season with no real question marks about an offensive line to protect quarterback John Mateer and pave the way for a hopefully improved running game.
The Sooners learned on Monday that they will be without starting center Jake Maikkula for 4-6 weeks after he strained his MCL during OU's intersquad scrimmage on Saturday. The injury at least wasn't season-ending like initially feared, but still, the Sooners will be without a pillar of their O-line for part of the most difficult stretch of the season.
Now, offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has just over two weeks to shuffle around his group and decide how the Sooners will look up front in the season opener against UTEP on Friday, Sept. 4. Most concerning, though, is how ready Oklahoma will be the next week for its trip to play No. 16 Michigan.
Read more: Ranking Oklahoma's 3 best options to replace Jake Maikkula at center
With Maikkula sidelined, shuffling up front will likely take place and some guys will be forced to step up, so here's how the offensive line depth chart could look by Week 1.
Bill Bedenbaugh forced to shuffle Sooners offensive line after Jake Maikkula injury update
Left tackle
Michael Fasusi (SO)
Peyton Joseph (SO)
Of note: No matter what happens elsewhere along the offensive line, Michael Fasusi, a former five-star recruit, has solidified his spot at left tackle after starting 10 games there last year as a freshman. Behind him is Georgia Tech transfer and fellow sophomore Peyton Joseph.
Left guard
Eddy Pierre-Louis (SO)
Daniel Akinkunmi (JR)
Of note: Even with the offensive line shuffling, the left side seems to be untouched, with Eddy Pierre-Louis still starting at left guard beside Michael Fasusi. Daniel Akinkunmi is also a solid depth piece.
Center
Ryan Fodje (SO)
Caleb Nitta (SR)
Of note: One of these two guys will replace Jake Maikkula at center, and I just flat out believe Ryan Fodje, despite not having experience at center, is the better option. And I think Bedenbaugh will feel the same way based off his emphasis on versatility and getting the best five out there.
Nitta is the only one left on the roster with experience playing center in college, but it came at Western Kentucky last season and he barely saw the field when at Virginia Tech before that. That's concerning with Michigan coming up Week 2.
Fodje is simply more talented, has a year of SEC experience (even if not at center), and has been vocal during fall camp about his willingness and ability to play anywhere the Sooners need him. That season opener against UTEP would give Fodje a chance to get his first experience at center after two weeks of practice there.
Read more: Ryan Fodje’s selfless Oklahoma role could pay off in every way
This also comes down to who's the better option between Nitta and Heath Ozaeta. If Nitta starts, Fodje likely goes to right guard with Ozaeta on the bench. But if Fodje converts to center, it would be Ozaeta who gets promoted to first team (more on him later).
Right guard
Heath Ozaeta (SR)
Noah Best (FR)
Of note: If Ryan Fodje slides over to center, it will likely be Heath Ozaeta who steps up to fill that fifth spot at right guard. Ozaeta, a senior, already has 21 games and 15 starts under his belt with the Sooners.
That experience is also why Ozaeta gets the nod over freshman Noah Best, even after an impressive fall camp. However, considering all the hype surrounding Best lately, he sounds like the next-best option to crack the starting lineup over Nitta.
The Sooners still being this strong overall up front with these two at guard is why Fodje is the best option at center.
Right tackle
E'Marion Harris (SR)
Fred Hinton (JR)
Of note: This was thought to be the only opening the Sooners would have to figure out before Arkansas transfer E'Marion Harris seemingly took full control of the tackle spot opposite of Michael Fasusi. Now with one man down, Harris is for sure a lock to start in his OU debut and beyond.
Add us as a preferred source on Google