As Oklahoma gets ready to open its push for another national title, the conversation around the Sooners’ offense is already turning to one name: Michael Fasusi.
That’s the pick from college football analyst Josh Pate, who singled out the Oklahoma tackle as his breakout player for the Sooners ahead of the 2026 season.
"The breakout player is Michael Fasusi," Pate said on 'Josh Pate's College Football Show.'" He was pressed into action last year.
Had to start at tackle as a true freshman. You don't often talk about offensive linemen as breakout players, but I think he qualifies.
He's a guy with Sunday traits. He's had them since he arrived on campus."
It’s an intriguing choice because Fasusi isn’t exactly an unknown. Oklahoma leaned on him immediately last season, and that kind of responsibility is rare for any freshman lineman, especially at a program playing in the SEC. He appeared in 11 games and made 10 starts as a true freshman, mostly at left tackle.
That experience matters for a Sooners offense that needs a jump. Oklahoma finished No. 92 in total offense last year, with trouble running the ball and protecting quarterback John Mateer. A big part of that came from having three freshmen on the offensive line, Fasusi among them.
Now the former five-star enters his second season with a full year of SEC football already on his résumé. He’s expected to be the starter again at left tackle, and that makes his growth one of the most important developments on the roster.
For Oklahoma, this is bigger than a breakout label. If Fasusi really does have the “Sunday traits” Pate sees, he could end up being one of the key pieces that helps turn the Sooners’ offense from a weakness into something far more reliable.
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The deeper question now is how much of this opening two-deep is truly set for the long haul, especially with Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley listed as co-backups behind Mateer. Early depth charts are never the final word, but they do offer the first real glimpse at how Oklahoma plans to handle the season opener against UTEP and how quickly the Sooners may need to sort out a few competitive situations once the games begin. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahomas Offensive Line Faces A Risky Late Adjustment Up Front
An injury to fifth-year center Jake Maikkula has pushed Oklahoma into an uncomfortable late change up front, and sophomore Ryan Fodje is the player being asked to absorb the new assignment. He has been learning center for the first time, spending practice reps on snapping the ball while working closely with Maikkula and quarterback John Mateer to get the timing and communication right.
The Sooners are not treating the move as a one-man solution, either. Caleb Nitta and Noah Best are also in the mix as Oklahoma sorts through options and tries to settle the middle of its offensive line with the season inching closer, a situation that puts added pressure on chemistry as much as technique. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahomas First Depth Chart Revealed Camp Battles Fans Didnt See Coming
The first Oklahoma depth chart of the 2026 season has already offered a few clues about where the real competition is hiding in camp. One of the more notable developments is at wide receiver, where Elijah Thomas is listed as a challenger to Parker Livingstone for a starting spot, a sign that the Sooners are still sorting out who will emerge as a dependable target when the season opens.
There is also some early movement along the offensive line, where freshman Deacon Schmitt has earned a backup role at right tackle. On the defensive side, the chart stretches to 12 listed positions and includes both SAM linebacker and the cheetah spot, underscoring how Oklahoma is adjusting roles with new pieces like Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan now in the mix. [Read more 🡒]