Over the last couple of seasons, the Oklahoma Sooners have had true freshmen step up and play significant roles for the team. In 2024, Jayden Jackson, Xavier Robinson, and Eli Bowen played key roles in helping OU. In 2025, Michael Fasusi, Ryan Fodje, and Courtland Guillory were key cogs in the Oklahoma Sooners' College Football Playoff run.
Oklahoma has been unafraid to play first-year players if they've proven ready. Through spring ball and fall training camp, Oklahoma has had several players in their first year rise to the occassion. With eight days until the start of the 2026 season, members of the 2026 recruiting class are pushing to contribute in a significant way this season.
Here's a look at five true freshmen to watch in 2026.
1. Noah Best, OL
Noah Best
looks in line to start for the Sooners at right guard. He saw first-team snaps increase while the Sooners were cautious with left tackle Michael Fasusi. Ryan Fodje took Fasusi's spot, which provided an opportunity for Best to prove ready for a significant role as a true freshman. Now with Jake Maikkula out in the short term, Best will start for Oklahoma, and he may not relinquish his spot even when everyone's healthy. He's been that good.
2. Jonathan Hatton, RB
Jonathan Hatton has been everything Oklahoma could have hoped for when he flipped from Texas A&M to join the Sooners 2026 recruiting class. He's picked up the offense, understands his protections in passing situations, and he's been making plays with the first-team offense. Look for Xavier Robinson to start, and Lloyd Avant will be in the running back rotation as well, but Ben Arbuckle and Deland McCullough will look to get Hatton on the field in 2026.
3. Tank Carrington, DT
James "Tank" Carrington has earned rave reviews this offseason for his work since arriving in January. His play strength has helped him climb the defensive tackle depth chart and earn opportunities to rotate with the first team defense. Carrington has been praised for his play strength in the trenches. That's often the biggest challenge for true freshmen, especially true freshmen playing in the SEC. We don't know what the defensive tackle depth chart will look like behind David Stone and Jayden Jackson, but Carrington is pushing for an opportunity.
4. Jashiear Rogers, WR
Jashiear Rogers was quite the find for Jim Nagy and Brent Venables, taking advantage of Penn State's firing of James Franklin to lure the top prospect in the state of Delaware to the Sooner State. In his first spring game, Rogers looked the part of a bona fide Power Four wide receiver, making plays against Oklahoma's first-team defense and earning the trust of the Sooners' quarterbacks on the second team. He'll be behind Isaiah Sategna in the slot, but should see some rotational opportunities this year. He could also help Oklahoma in the punt return game.
5. Jake Kreul, DE
Jake Kreul won't be a starter for Oklahoma this year, and he may not even be in the two-deep when the season starts, but look for Kreul to get opportunities to get after the quarterback for the Sooners. He was one of the most refined pass rushers coming out of high school and can help when the Oklahoma defense puts 3rd and long situations.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 5 Oklahoma Sooners true freshmen to watch in 2026
