⚡ CFB Dashboard

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.