⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Alabama lost defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman to a season-ending ACL injury; defensive back Jorden Edmonds is targeted for a midseason return, while EJ Crowell and receiver Noah Rogers are expected back sooner. Arkansas lost tight end Maddox Lassiter, defensive lineman J'Lynn Allen and punter Connor Smith for 2026, but RB1 Sutton Smith should be ready for the opener. - Auburn linebacker J.J. Faulk is out for the year, with tight end Jonathan Edwards, tackle Tai Buster and corner Devin Williams still uncertain. Florida reported no major camp loss; Georgia remains without Amaris Williams and likely Dante Dowdell, while center Drew Bobo should play. Kentucky running back Tovani Mizell is out, with Jovante Barnes and receiver Nic Anderson questionable. - LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt and linebacker Whit Weeks are full-go, though edge Gabe Reliford remains out. Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy will miss the opener but is practicing; Gavin Hoffman should be ready and Donta Simpson is cleared. Oklahoma center Jake Maikkula is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. - Ole Miss reported no major preseason injury. South Carolina lost receivers Jaden Sellers and Jayden Gibson for the season, with tackle Jacarrius Peak expected out roughly two weeks and Dylan Stewart unavailable opening weekend. Tennessee lost Edrees Farooq, Jaedon Harmon and Jadas Richard, with several more questionable plus Arion Carter suspended one game. - Texas is evaluating left tackle Trevor Goosby's knee, though no tear was initially indicated. Texas A&M lost Chace Sims and Tiger Riden for the season and receiver Jerome Myles left the team. Vanderbilt had no major new camp injury, while Mississippi State's principal questions are receiver Ayden Williams and limited defensive linemen D.J. Reed and Kalvin Dinkins.

- Ryan Fodje is the likely starting center against UTEP after Jake Maikkula sustained a knee injury in Oklahoma's first preseason scrimmage that Brent Venables characterized as short term. - Fodje has moved from projected right guard to left tackle and now center during camp, with Michael Fasusi's minor shoulder injury contributing to the earlier tackle work. - Fodje has taken extra post-practice work with John Mateer on shotgun snaps, under-center exchanges, front identification and line communication to accelerate his transition. - Western Kentucky transfer Caleb Nitta and freshman Noah Best are also taking center reps behind Fodje while Maikkula remains unavailable.

- Jake Michael's injury and Fisuse's recent absence have forced Oklahoma to consider alternate center options, although Fisuse appears close to returning. - Oklahoma expects bigger, blocking-oriented tight ends to play an important role in supporting the ground game. - A healthy Xavier Robinson showed signs of emerging as the lead back, while Tory Blaylock's ability to return to full health remains another important variable in the backfield. - Peyton Bowen and Michael Boginowski were highlighted among a secondary that reportedly performed well throughout fall camp.

- Oklahoma's defense has remained extremely healthy entering the final two weeks before kickoff, and Reggie Powers was specifically said not to be injured. - There is strong confidence in the starting 11 and in the defensive depth, with Peyton Bowen, Kip Lewis and David Stone among the players referenced. - The source is optimistic that Jake Michael can return quickly from his knee injury, though no firm timetable was provided.

- Most of Oklahoma's current camp injury limitations were characterized as precautionary, including a shoulder issue expected to resolve without a long absence. - Lloyd Avant and Xavier Robinson have separated from the rest of the running-back competition, with Avant standing out most clearly. - Oklahoma's defense carries an elite ceiling if it stays healthy, making camp availability the primary variable around the unit's outlook.

- Oklahoma still plans to use John Mateer as a runner after he remained effective on the ground while managing an injury last season. - A more dependable handoff run game that consistently gains three or four yards would reduce Mateer's workload without removing the quarterback-run element from the offense.

- QB: "If Oklahoma had a chance to trade for Trinidad Chambliss, they would do it now." @BudElliott3 on why he's taking Trinidad Chambliss over John Mateer in the @Cover3Podcast SEC QB Bracket

- QB/OL: Oklahoma HC Brent Venables is the first to take the podium this morning.

- Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant is listed as Oklahoma's co-starting running back with Xavier Robinson and could receive the opening Week 1 carry after leading first-team work through spring and remaining consistent in camp. - Robinson returned from a calf strain to rejoin Oklahoma's lead-back competition, while freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. added a distinct size-and-speed option during camp. - Avant is Oklahoma's most experienced back with 676 career rushing yards and 323 receiving yards, and he also won the starting kickoff-return role. - Oklahoma values Avant's downhill running and willingness in pass protection as it tries to improve a rushing attack that averaged only 3.54 yards per carry in 2025.

- Sophomore Elijah Thomas completed a major fall-camp rise by earning an OR starter designation with Parker Livingstone at Oklahoma's X receiver position, putting him in line for a much larger role. - Thomas improved his preparation, route detail, confidence and understanding of Oklahoma's offense while becoming more comfortable against press coverage after struggling with that adjustment as a freshman. - Oklahoma now views Thomas' speed and catch radius as dependable weapons because added strength and more aggressive play have improved his ability to finish contested routes. - Quarterback John Mateer credited veteran receivers Isaiah and Trell with helping Thomas learn the position, while coaches described Thomas' camp as consistently productive entering the UTEP opener.

- John Mateer's health is identified as essential to Oklahoma's season outlook, with the camp discussion indicating he has been somewhat limited. - The cheetah two-deep remains unsettled behind Reggie Powers, making Powers' availability particularly important. - Jeremiah Newcombe had been penciled into the backup picture, while Cole Sullivan is expected to receive cheetah snaps in selected packages.

- Sophomore Elijah Thomas was one of Oklahoma's most impressive offensive playmakers during fall camp and pushed Parker Livingstone for the No. 3 receiver job. - Thomas improved his practice consistency and route craft after becoming a more vocal participant and diligent note-taker in receiver meetings during the offseason. - Thomas played only 38 offensive snaps in 2025 but built staff trust across 242 special-teams snaps, recording eight tackles and leading Oklahoma in special-teams production points. - Brent Venables said Thomas made encouraging plays in Oklahoma's first fall scrimmage and identified him and Manny Choice as young receivers who must emerge for the offense to reach its ceiling.

- Virginia transfer Trell Harris is healthy and listed as Oklahoma's starting Z receiver after missing spring and remaining limited through summer following an offseason clean-up procedure. - Harris joins Oklahoma after leading Virginia with 59 catches for 847 yards and five touchdowns, including 14 receptions of at least 20 yards. - Harris learned Ben Arbuckle's system while rehabbing and built timing with quarterback John Mateer through film work and full-speed routes before fall camp. - Oklahoma views Harris's refined route pacing and ability to create space as a useful complement to Isaiah Sategna in the revamped receiving corps.

- Once again, Brent Venables is singling out sophomore wide receiver Manny Choice. "Manny Choice is a guy we're really excited about," Venables said following a spring practice. "Again, a big, strong-bodied guy that's athletic. - He's wide-open, plays with tremendous effort and strain, and he's got a great awareness and understanding of how to play receiver—and still learning and growing in that space as well.

- Jackson is entering his first fully healthy season and should receive a larger defensive-tackle role after producing five tackles for loss and three sacks in a rotation last year. - Powers has won the full-time Cheetah role after a strong camp, placing him in a high-volume hybrid assignment against the run, in coverage and near the line of scrimmage. - Oklahoma must replace R Mason Thomas but retains several pass-rush options, led by seven-sack returner Taylor Wein with Adepoju Adebawore and Danny Okoye expected to take larger roles. - Hatton's 235-pound frame and strong camp have positioned him for immediate short-yardage and goal-line work with a chance to overtake Xavier Robinson and Lloyd Avant for the lead-back role. - True freshman Best spent much of camp with the first-team line at right guard and can also play center, while Lloyd Avant enters the opener as the top kickoff returner despite an uncertain offensive role.

- Oklahoma is next with seven preseason-ranked opponents, including road trips to Michigan, Georgia, Florida and Missouri.

- Intel: I have no feelings whatsoever about Oklahoma football, but this is phenomenal

- Intel: When Jordan Shipley took the kickoff back to the house vs Oklahoma #HookEm