Less than a week before the season opener, Oklahoma is asking Ryan Fodje to do something he’s never done in a college game: run the offense from center.
The sophomore offensive lineman has lined up at tackle and guard before, but snapping the ball is a new assignment for him after fifth-year center Jake Maikkula suffered a knee injury. Fodje said he had been an emergency backup at center in high school, and now he’s spending practice time learning the position on the fly.
“It’s been good so far, working with (offensive line) coach (Bill Bedenbaugh), Jake (Maikkula), Caleb (Nitta and) Noah (Best),” Fodje said. “All those guys, they're amazing.
I said earlier in fall camp that I can take my glove off and play center. So that's what I'm doing right now.”
Maikkula’s presence has still mattered even while he’s sidelined. Fodje said the veteran center has been especially hands-on as he works through the details of the position.
“He’s done amazing,” Fodje said. “He’s been teaching me the techniques, ways to hold the ball (and) get the ball.”
For Fodje, the adjustment isn’t just about his own comfort level. He pointed out that the bigger challenge may belong to quarterback John Mateer, who has to sync up with a different center and get used to a new feel on every snap.
“It could be a bigger adjustment for the quarterback because it’s a different center, and they have different feels for how their center gets it up there,” Fodje said. “But it’s just reps after reps, building that chemistry. … I’ve been staying after practice every day, snapping with John under center and in shotgun.”
Mateer said that work has shown up quickly.
“It’s been really good,” Mateer said. “Like I say about all these guys, we have a good relationship off the field, and that just translates.
… He’s doing a great job and props to him for learning so many different positions. His versatility is huge for himself and for this team, and it shouldn’t go unnoticed.”
Fodje already showed that kind of adaptability last season, when he made four starts at tackle and two at guard. As a freshman, he played multiple spots and allowed just one sack on 254 pass-blocking snaps. Now, with Maikkula out to start the year, that flexibility matters even more.
The competition behind Maikkula includes Nitta, who started at center for Western Kentucky last year, along with freshman Noah Best and Fodje. However the job settles, the group believes the line can keep moving without a drop-off.
“All of us together are very versatile,” Fodje said. “We can all slide around to different spots and just fit together like glue.
It’s easy for us to translate information to one another. Our communication is really good, and our chemistry is very good.”
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