⚡ 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.

- 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.

- 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.