The Oklahoma Sooners have put an emphasis on running the football more effectively this offseason, and that starts right up front with the offensive line. As it turns out, OU feels really good about the veteran player that is anchoring that unit, especially one of the key roster-builders in Norman.
Speaking at the Sooner Caravan this week, general manager Jim Nagy and head coach Brent Venables were asked which Oklahoma players are going to emerge this year as some of the team’s best, that aren’t being talked about much this offseason. Nagy’s choice was redshirt-senior offensive lineman Jake Maikkula, who will start at the center position for the Sooners again in 2026.
“This guy’s going to be one of the best centers in the country,” Nagy said.
Maikkula has spent just about a year with the Sooners, after Nagy brought him in from Stanford last spring. He ended up being the most impactful of OU’s spring portal additions on offense, starting ten games at center, and playing well in the middle of the offensive line. Despite missing the season’s last two games with a serious infection, he’s been back this spring, and has obviously impressed.
OU needs Maikkula’s presence in a big way, as the Sooners aren’t very proven at center behind him. Owen Hollenbeck is in his second year in the program, and Ace Hodges is in his first year playing center at the college level, after switching to offensive line from defensive line this offseason. Western Kentucky transfer Caleb Nitta can play all three interior o-line positions, but his services may be needed more at guard than they are at center.
Before the infection last year, Maikkula was a solid piece up front, helping to stabilize what turned into a very young starting offensive line outside of him and now-Houston Texans OL Febechi Nwaiwu. Now, after drawing strong reviews this spring, it sounds like the expectations are even higher for Maikkula in his second season in Norman.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma’s general manager high on veteran offensive lineman in 2026
