Oklahoma coach Brent Venables met with reporters on Friday morning in Norman as the Sooners go through spring practice.
Venables delivered some good news regarding starting center Jake Maikkula, telling reporters they expect him to be back from injury “sooner rather than later.”
Oklahoma HC Brent Venables on Jake Maikkula’s injury:“Expect Jake to be back sooner rather than later.”#Sooners pic.twitter.com/LcpyeTLVw4
— Carson Field (@CarsonDField) August 21, 2026According to George Stoia, Venables added that his injury is expected to be a “short-term” problem for Oklahoma. In the mean time, reserve offensive linemen like Caleb Nitta, Ryan Fodje and Noah Best have been taking reps at center for OU during fall camp.
OU coach Brent Venables says that Jake Maikkula’s injury is “short-term.” He adds that Caleb Nitta, Ryan Fodje and Noah Best are all getting reps at center in the mean time. #Sooners pic.twitter.com/Zfs3Q3SfDN
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) August 21, 2026Last season, Maikkula played over 700 snaps for Oklahoma at the center position and earned a solid 68.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He was exceptional as a pass blocker, grading out as an 81.2 on those snaps.
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Among SEC centers with at least 600 snaps, only 2 graded out higher than Maikkula as a pass blocker in 2025.
Of the group of potential replacements listed above, Fodje has the most experience at Oklahoma. He played over 400 snaps for the Sooners last season split between right tackle and right guard.
However, Nitta has experience at the center position. He started at center for Western Kentucky in 2025 before transferring to OU this offseason. Best is a true freshman who was rated as a 3-star prospect in the class of 2026.
Oklahoma will get its season underway against UTEP in Week 1, but will have a significant test on the road against Michigan in Week 2.
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