Brent Venables couldn’t help but spew over one of his starters doing what you don’t see too often in this new era of college football
Brent Venables loves what he’s seen from Sooners’ offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu.
In 2024, the Oklahoma Sooners dealt with some of the worst injuries imaginable. In 2025, they still have some pretty bad injuries, but not as bad. This year, players have had to play out of position a few times, or they’ve had to throw some young guys into the fire because the players ahead of them were injured.
Last game against the LSU Tigers is a perfect example of a player having to play out of position. Offensive guard Febechi Nwaiwu had to play center after center Jake Maikkala was hospitalized last week with an infection. Nwaiwu played great, and that’s one of the reasons Oklahoma won – players playing well when they’re thrown into the fire.
Nwaiwu has been great this season and is the only offensive lineman in the last two seasons to not miss a game due to injury.
“It says everything,” Venables told reporters after the win over LSU. “Where he’s at this year compared to where he’s at a year ago… it’s all through his leadership. For him to slide over, man. He spends a lot of time doing the things (Center things) after practice.”
Sooners get a bye week before the first playoff game to get the offensive line healthy
With Nwaiwu playing at center, right tackle Ryan Fodje slid over to right guard and didn’t play that great, while Derrick Simmons played OK at right tackle. The offensive line, despite the different combinations it has had this season, played well. It has been especially good in pass pro and is getting better in run blocking.
A lot of the offensive line’s strengths stem from Nwaiwu’s consistency. That is a guy that you pretty much always know will do his job. He’s not the most flashy player, but he won’t set the offensive line back, either. He’s just always doing what he’s supposed to do.
Oklahoma lucked out getting Nwaiwu, especially in getting him to mentor young guys like Fodje and Michael Fasusi. Those young, uber-talented kids get to see how a real leader and professional works every single day, and that’s invaluable. Next season, those two young guys, who are the cornerstones of the offensive line, can help the new young guys coming in.
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