League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Jake Maikkula returns to Oklahoma football after health scare

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 31, 2026, 4:32 PM

Last updated Jul 31, 2026

Jake Maikkula returns to Oklahoma football after health scare

Summary

Jake Maikkula, Oklahoma's starting center, is returning to the Sooners for the 2026 season. He missed the latter part of the 2025 season due to a serious infection that required hospitalization, sidelining him from critical games against LSU and Alabama. After a lengthy recovery, Maikkula has rejoined his teammates and focused on regaining his fitness and leadership role on the offensive line. He emphasized the importance of participating in a full offseason with the team, following his transfer from Stanford.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Maikkula was sidelined during the final regular-season game and College Football Playoff.
•He spent days in the hospital and lost weight due to the infection.
•The center highlighted his progress in spring practices leading up to the season.
•Oklahoma's starting quarterback John Mateer praised Maikkula's growth as a leader.
•Maikkula now benefits from a complete offseason with coaching staff and teammates.

Latest Updates

4:32 PMYahoo Sports — Jake Maikkula returns to OU football after infection ruined ending of last season

What they're saying

"
Jake Maikkula was a mainstay on OU’s 2025 offensive line — until a serious health scare sidelined him for the rest of the promising season. Maikkula, Oklahoma football’s starting center, is returning to the Sooners after an unfortunate early ending to a successful year last season. He missed the regular-season finale against LSU and the College Football Playoff game against Alabama due to an ...
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

NCAAF College Sports