Sooners HC Brent Venables went out of his way to mention one true freshman in particular who's stood out above the rest

The Oklahoma Sooners nailed their 2026 recruiting class, and one true freshman offensive lineman is standing out well above the rest.
The Oklahoma Sooners pretty much know what they're getting on their starting offensive line for 2026. The starting unit is likely going to be Michael Fasusi (LT), Eddy Pierre-Louis (LG), Jake Maikkula (C), Ryan Fodje (RG), and E'Marion Harris (transfer portal addition RT).
The Sooners are also set to have some very good depth at center, with Caleb Nitta, a transfer portal addition, and theΒ other addition, Peyton Joseph. They are also bringing in a few offensive linemen in the 2026 high school recruiting class, in Noah Best and Deacon Schmitt. Those two have extremely high potential and could find themselves in games where the Sooners are blowing out non-conference teams.
At the Sooner Caravan in OKC⦠OU head coach Brent Venables is asked which true freshmen stood out the most this spring.
β George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) May 7, 2026
The first name? Noah Best.
He went on to mention Jahsiear Rogers, DeZephen Walker, Jonathan Hatton, Tank Carrington, and Derrick Johnson.
In fact, Best is a guy that the Sooners seem to already love a ton. According to George Stoia of Sooner Scoop, Brent Venables at the Sooner Caravan in OKC said Best was the true freshman who has stood out the most so far. Stoia said that Best was the first name mentioned, but then went on to mention Jahsiear Rogers, DeZephen Walker, Jonathan Hatton, Tank Carrington, and Derrick Johnson.
But, it feels like, because of the way the roster is constructed, that we could really, really see a guy like Best be forced into some good playing time that would help his development.
Noah Best can be a very good offensive lineman for the Sooners
Coming in, Best was only a three-star recruit. However, he had pretty good size before getting on campus at 6'4, 300 pounds. Best was the No. 533 national recruit,
No. 48 IOL, and the No. 72 recruit in Texas.
Noah Bestβs other offers
- SMU
- Kansas State
- Texas Tech
- Missouri
However, like we have seen so many times with Venables and his teams, the three-star ratings mean nothing. Courtland Guillory started as a three-star true freshman last season. Edge rusher Taylor Wein was a three-star recruit. There are so many other examples of OU producing elite players from low-level recruits and ratings. Who knows, Best could be next.