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OU vs Alabama availability report (Wednesday): Jovantae Barnes officially available

headshotby: George Stoia12/18/25GeorgeStoia

OU will have one of its most veteran running backs on Friday against Alabama.

Senior Jovantae Barnes is officially available for the Sooners. Barnes has not played since the Auburn game, opting to redshirt. But Oklahoma could certainly use him, as Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock have both been playing banged up.

Here is the full report from Thursday:

  • OL Jake Maikkula: Questionable
  • DB Gentry Williams: Out
  • DB Kendel Dolby: Out
  • DB Jeremiah Newcombe: Out
  • OL Troy Everett: Out

Coach Brent Venables said on Monday at his press conference that he anticipates both R Mason Thomas and Jake Maikkula to practice this week. Thomas has since been cleared and is expected to play on Friday.

Thomas has been out with a quad injury since returning a fumble 71 yards for a touchdown against Tennessee. He hasn’t practiced much since the injury, but has been ramping up his rehab in recent weeks to be ready for the playoffs.

Maikkula did not play in the season finale against LSU after getting an infection. Like Thomas, Maikkula has not practiced much. His biggest obstacle to returning is fatigue, although he has attended team meetings over the past week.

“They’re two good players. They’re starters. Excellent players,” Venables said two weeks ago. “Jake touches the ball every snap. There’s a lot of impact and influence and things that guys does, and R Mason is one of the more explosive defensive players in the country. If they can play, they can play. If they can’t, they can’t. That’s football. It’s late in the year. They’ve got guys that are down. That’s just part of the game.”

Obviously, if OU could get both guys back, it’d be a huge boost.

Thomas, who was a first-team All-SEC selection, has been arguably Oklahoma’s best defensive player this season. He’s totaled 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Maikkula has been an anchor on the offensive line, starting 10 games at center this season. If he weren’t able to play, senior right guard Febechi Nwaiwu would move over to center and true freshman Ryan Fodje would slide in at right guard.

There will be another availability report released on Thursday night by the College Football Playoff.

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