Oklahoma's Brent Venables Thinks Jake Maikkula Injury 'Short Term', Backups Versatile

Oklahoma's Brent Venables Thinks Jake Maikkula Injury 'Short Term', Backups Versatile

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Oklahoma's Brent Venables Thinks Jake Maikkula Injury 'Short Term', Backups Versatile
Ryan Fodje and Jake Maikkula, Oklahoma Sooner
Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Jake Maikkula (69) readies to snap the ball against the Temple Owls in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

NORMAN – Following Oklahoma's Friday practice, Brent Venables spoke about the injury to the Sooners' starting center Jake Maikkula.

Venables, who recently inked a contract extension with Oklahoma through 2031, said Maikkula's absence should be "short-term." He added that Maikkula is "doing well" and that he expects him "to be back sooner rather than later."

"Everybody heals differently, but that'll be the last time I talk about it until the availability reports," he added.

For those who hang on every syllable from Oklahoma's head coach in search of hidden meaning, Venables' mention of the availability report could suggest the Sooners expect Maikkula back around their Week 4 matchup with Georgia, as the SEC only requires availability reports during the week of conference games.

Regardless of Maikkula's supposed return, Venables was confident in a handful of players vying for the opportunity to lead the offensive line from the center position. Caleb Nitta and Noah Best were supposed to be depth pieces in 2026, but due to necessity and a strong offseason, both have earned a chance to play significant snaps.

Then there's Ryan Fodje – Bill Bedenbaugh's Swiss Army knife along the offensive line. His versatility continues to know no bounds.

"Everything we've been saying since we signed him, just an incredible athlete," Venables said. "Really smart, athletic. Seems that nothing ever overwhelms Ryan, which again, he's still only 18 years old."

The reminder of Fodje's age is jarring, considering he has already played and started games at right guard and right tackle for the Sooners. Still, it shows he has merely scratched the surface of his career. Per Venables, Fodje may have more to show if his number is called at center.

"Big, powerful, strong, 335-pound guy who can play left tackle and play it well, and slide in there at center where all the bullets are flying and do a great job there. So very powerful," he said.

Then there's Best, the much-talked-about true freshman guard/center extraordinaire of the offseason. Offensive and defensive linemen have praised the young Best. Even before Maikkula's injury, it seemed that Best was close to playing his way into a rotational role.

Now with a vacancy at center, Best has an opportunity to do the unthinkable – start as a true freshman at center.

How does Venables look to prepare a young player for the horrors of college football as a first-timer? Simply by going against his defense every day.

"What you see on the practice field every day," Venables said. "This is with great respect for everybody that we play, but (on) game day, they're not gonna get overwhelmed more so than what they see on the practice field every single day."

That's quite the bold statement from Venables, who recently acknowledged that while his defensive unit is talented, it still has a long way to go before becoming a great defense. Still, if anyone knows how a strong defense can forge a great offense, it's Venables.

"That's a competitive advantage. I think you see the depth of the scheme that they're gonna see, as well as the quality of the players that they're going to see. You wanna get better at football? You gotta practice football with an old-school mentality. And that's what they see every single day," he said.

Whoever gets the nod when the Sooners face UTEP, OU will simultaneously hope for a quick return from its original starter while benefiting from whoever earns the interim role in the meantime.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/oklahoma as Oklahoma's Brent Venables Thinks Jake Maikkula Injury 'Short Term', Backups Versatile.

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