Oklahoma Sooners just dodged a massive bullet after positive news comes back from fall training camp
The Oklahoma Sooners are set to be a better team on paper in 2026, but none of that matters if center Jake Maikkula is hurt for the season. They dodged a bullet with that injury.
The Oklahoma Sooners can be one of the best teams in the country in 2026. They have the roster and coaching to do just that. But if the offensive line isn’t healthy, that’s good enough to mess everything up. The Sooners just dodged a bullet in that area, as center Jake Maikkula was injured this week, and some thought it was an ACL Injury.
According to Red Dirt Media, Maikkula did not tear his ACL. He did hurt his knee, but it’s not an injury that’s going to keep him from playing this year. Still, this is a major blow to the Sooners because it does mean Maikkula is hurt. The extent of the injury is still unclear, including how long he will miss. But some believe he’s set to miss the start of the season. Surely, head coach Brent Venables will address the media soon, and then we can get more information.
The Sooners should have a good offensive line in 2026. They are bringing back four of last season’s starters. Then they addressed the one position they’re not bringing back through the transfer portal. The Sooners added E’Marion Harris and several other really good depth pieces. So, the offensive line could be very good. But with one key piece out, like Maikkula at center, it could mess all that up. Luckily, they are pretty prepared for anything.
Who will play center for the Sooners when Jake Maikkula is out?
The Sooners went out and made a ton of moves in the transfer portal window, and now they’re glad they did. OU grabbed Caleb Nitta, the former Western Kentucky center. He will likely be the center, but I wouldn’t rule out Heath Ozaeta there, too. The Sooners have a few options, and it will be important to watch over the next few weeks.
Luckily, every game on their schedule is winnable, even without Maikkula. That doesn’t mean they will win every game. But they can. However, the first part of the schedule is definitely easier. So, hopefully Maikkula is back before the Sooners get into the weeds of SEC play.
