The Oklahoma Sooners will play football in two days. The UTEP Miners are coming to town, providing our first opportunity to see what the 2026 OU Football team looks like as they work to get back to the College Football Playoff. On paper, this one's a mismatch, and if it plays out that way, the Sooners will have an opportunity to play some true freshmen some significant snaps in the season opener.
Oklahoma hasn't been shy about playing true freshmen over the last few years, and this year will be no different. Here are three first-year players to keep your eyes on this Friday night against the UTEP Miners.
1. Noah Best, OL
With the injuries the Sooners have suffered to starting center Jake Maikkula and his heir apparent, Ryan Fodje, Oklahoma's depth along the offensive
line will be under an even bigger microscope this Friday night. True freshman Noah Best has earned starter reps with the first-team offensive line at right guard. He spent time in spring ball playing center as well and could be a factor at both positions for the Sooners this season.
On the initial depth chart, Best was listed as a co-starter at right guard alongside veteran Heath Ozaeta. If Oklahoma feels like they're better up front with Ozaeta at guard and Best at center, that's how they'll roll. But if it's Caleb Nitta starting at center, we'll be watching how Best looks in live competition for the first time in his collegiate career.
2. Jonathan Hatton, RB
Jonathan Hatton was one of the biggest gets in the 2026 recruiting class. He was a top priority for a long time, committing to the Sooners early before flipping to Texas A&M. Running backs coach DeMarco Murray kept the lines of communication open with Hatton, and before the early signing period last December, Hatton flipped back to Oklahoma.
He's impressed in the eight months he's been on campus and has flashed both his physicality and big-time speed. And it's likely we'll see a lot of Hatton in this game, especially if the Sooners are up big in the second half. Xavier Robinson and Lloyd Avant are listed as the co-starters at running back, but Ben Arbuckle and Deland McCullough will find opportunities to get Hatton on the field.
3. Jake Kreul, EDGE
Jake Kreul was one of the top signings in the 2026 recruiting class. Out of IMG Academy, the same school that produced David Stone and Jayden Jackson, Kreul flashes elite pass rush ability and will get the opportunity to rush the passer in this one.
He won't get reps in front of Taylor Wein, Danny Okoye, Adepoju Adebawore or Wyatt Gilmore, but you could see him in the rotation on passing downs, especially in the second half.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 3 Oklahoma Sooners true freshmen to watch vs. UTEP on Friday
