Noah Best has wasted little time putting himself on Oklahoma’s radar.
The true freshman has turned heads through his first fall camp, and one Sooners lineman who’s been through the same kind of early trial thinks Best may be ready for a real shot. Ryan Fodje, who logged significant snaps as a true freshman last season in the SEC, said Best has already shown enough to enter the starting mix.
"I feel like he has a chance to be a starter Day 1," Fodje said. "The thing I like about him the most is how consistent he is. He doesn't talk too much, but he is consistent with his work."
Best has already bounced between guard and center since arriving in Norman this summer, giving Oklahoma a flexible piece along the interior. That versatility earned him work with the first-team group Tuesday, when Michael Fasusi and Heath Ozaeta were sidelined by minor injuries.
The lineup that day had Fodje and E'Marion Harris at tackle, Jake Maikkula at center, Eddy Pierre-Louis at left guard and Best at right guard.
What’s stood out most to Fodje, though, isn’t just where Best can line up. It’s how he’s handled himself against Oklahoma’s veterans on defense. Fodje pointed to Best’s work against sophomore defensive tackle Jayden Jackson, who was a Freshman All-American in 2024.
"You'll see him strike Jayden Jackson - Jackson, he was a Freshman All-American - he would strike Jackson and just sit on him," Fodje said. "Perfect technique."
That kind of polish is notable for any young lineman, especially one still sorting through the jump from high school to college. Best played tackle at Midlothian (Texas), then started learning center during spring before adding guard work in fall camp. He’s had to take in new techniques, handle multiple positions and do it all while facing SEC defensive linemen every day.
For Fodje, the big thing is how quickly Best has absorbed the coaching and kept applying it.
"As a true freshman, that's extremely hard because you're taught different things from your high school coaches, whatever it was, and being able to be coachable and consistent is a key part in offensive line," Fodje said. "So he's doing a great job right now."
Oklahoma still has plenty of camp left before settling on its starting five, and Fodje was careful not to jump too far ahead. Even so, Best has done enough early to stay in the conversation.
"Obviously we've got to finish camp," Fodje said, "but he's a great player."
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Oklahoma Already Has A Fall Camp Concern Fans Will Feel Fast
Early in fall camp, the Sooners are already dealing with the kind of injury run that can complicate an entire preseason. Multiple players have been limited or kept out of practice as Oklahoma tries to build toward the season opener, and the absences have touched several spots on the roster, from the offensive line to running backs and even defensive backs.
The most immediate concern comes up front, where the team is trying to sort out depth and get everyone ready for live action. When injuries start piling up this early, every missed rep matters, and Oklahoma will be watching closely to see how quickly it can get its roster closer to full strength before the opener arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Freshman Is Turning An Early Camp Concern Into Opportunity
Fall camp has given Oklahoma an early look at Noah Best, and the freshman offensive lineman has taken advantage of the opportunity. With the Sooners working through a few minor bumps up front, Best has been able to get reps with the starting group at right guard, giving the coaching staff a closer look at a young player who is already making himself part of the conversation.
The timing matters because depth on the offensive line is always one of the first things tested in August, and Oklahoma would rather sort out those questions now than later. The expectation is that the full starting unit will be healthy for the opener against UTEP, but Bests emergence has already turned a camp concern into a useful development for a line that can never have too many reliable options. [Read more 🡒]
EMarion Harris Just Offered A Telling Oklahoma Reality Check
EMarion Harris didnt take long to notice the difference after transferring from Arkansas to Oklahoma for his fifth season. The veteran lineman, who started 24 games with the Razorbacks, has settled into a new room and a new standard, and hes been quick to praise the daily effort around the Sooners as well as the talent he sees across the line of scrimmage in practice.
Harris is expected to step in at right tackle, which makes his adjustment especially important for Oklahoma as it reshapes its offensive front. For a player looking to sharpen his game in his final college stop, the appeal is obvious: a more demanding competitive environment, a higher level of resistance every day and teammates who seem to have matched the urgency he was looking for. [Read more 🡒]