Tag: billy bowman

Are the Oklahoma Sooners overvalued in the ESPN Football Power Index?

One ESPN analyst believes the Oklahoma Sooners are overvalued in the updated ESPN Football Power Index.

The Oklahoma Sooners are one of the more intriguing teams heading into the 2024 college football season. They have a talented roster, led by a defense that has a lot of experience coming back for Oklahoma’s first foray into the SEC.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], and [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag] lead the way for a defense that made substantial improvement in year two under [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag].

Offensively, there’s a lot of talent too. But at arguably the most critical positions, quarterback and offensive line, the Sooners are facing turnover. [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] is as talented a quarterback as you’ll find in the country, but he has only one start under his belt.

Oklahoma generally has its offensive line together, so that typically isn’t a long-term concern, but they are replacing the five guys who started the most games for them in 2023. However, [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] did a fantastic job bringing in experience to supplement his young blue chippers along the offensive line. But they haven’t worked together in a game situation. So there’s reason to be skeptical.

Throw in a schedule that will give Oklahoma all it can handle in 2024 and it’s understandable why Adam Rittenberg of ESPN might be a bit skeptical of the Oklahoma Sooners No. 8 ranking in the updated ESPN Football Power Index for the 2024 season. Rittenberg believes the Sooners are one of the overvalued teams at this point in 2024.

Oklahoma at No. 8 wouldn’t concern me as much if the Sooners were staying in the Big 12, rather than moving to the SEC. The combination of a young quarterback ([autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag]), two new primary coordinators (Seth Littrell and [autotag]Zac Alley[/autotag]), a defense that hasn’t really found its way under coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and a schedule that features Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, Tennessee and Missouri, in addition to rival Texas, sets off a few alarm bells. Oklahoma has done well in the portal and returns some star power on defense, but I don’t see a top-10 finish this year in Norman. – Rittenberg, ESPN

Turnover hit Oklahoma in a big way this offseason. But it’s the University of Oklahoma and the depth chart has improved drastically since Venables took over in Norman. They have a defense that is set up to help them win games in 2024 and an offense that will continue to score a ton of points.

The offensive line will come together and Oklahoma features arguably the best collection of wide receivers in the nation. Time will tell if Rittenberg is right, but there’s reason to be optimistic that the Sooners are one of the 10 best teams in the nation for 2024.

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Why did Dillon Gabriel leave Oklahoma for the Oregon Ducks?

In an interview with The Athletic, former Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel reveals how he ended up at Oregon.

The early stages of the offseason were intriguing for the Oklahoma Sooners. [autotag]NFL draft[/autotag] decisions awaited for a number of players like [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], who ultimately returned for another year with the Sooners.

One player who was expected to head to the NFL, [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], surprised everyone when he made the decision to enter the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. Ultimately, his portal journey ended with a commitment to Oregon, but it came as a surprise nonetheless.

In an interview with The Athletic’s Christopher Kamrani (subscription required), Gabriel and his family revealed he received a conservative seventh round-undrafted free agent NFL draft grade. That led to his decision to want to return for one more year, but according to the story, it was Oklahoma’s five-star quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] who was the motivating factor in Gabriel’s decision to transfer.

It wasn’t because of the potential quarterback competition, one Gabriel would have likely won due to his experience. But according to Gabriel’s mom via The Athletic, the former Sooners quarterback was concerned “Jackson might leave, and he didn’t want that for the program.”

Nobody knows how that all would have really played out. Only Dr. Strange using the time stone could see the possibilities. Much like Arch Manning at Texas, Arnold could have very well stuck it out for another year behind Gabriel. Only Oklahoma’s starting quarterback for 2024 knows how that might have played out.

What we do know is that both Dillon Gabriel and Jackson Arnold have opportunities for big seasons. Both Oregon and Oklahoma are moving to new conferences and both programs should contend for a playoff spot this year.

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Anonymous SEC coaches share thoughts on Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners

Anonymous SEC coaches share their thoughts on Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners ahead of 2024.

The SEC is holding their annual league meetings in Destin, Florida this week, creating a lot of conversation about where the league is heading in 2024. We’ve received a few kickoff times, including a 2:30 p.m. CT start for the Red River Rivalry game in 2024.

Additionally, coaches have met with the media on a number of topics. Over at Athlon Sports, they put together their annual piece on what coaches said anonymously about their colleagues.

Brent Venables Defense is coming together

They’re starting to round out on defense to a unit you’d expect Brent [Venables] to be coaching at Clemson. That’s the good news entering the SEC. The bad news is that they could be bad on the O-line if they can’t pull some guys together late in the portal. – Anonymous SEC Coach

This is the expectation. Brent Venables was brought to Oklahoma to restore defensive football in Norman. There have been some growing pains, but the growth is evident. The Sooners went from 99th in scoring defense in 2022 to 49th, improving by nearly a touchdown a game.

After retaining [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag], and [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag], bringing in big-time additions like [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], and a top-flight defensive recruiting class, the Sooners look ready to make another jump despite the move to the SEC.

I don’t think they’ll be bad along the offensive line. Did they have a lot of turnover? Absolutely. But the Sooners boast one of the best offensive line coaches in the nation and [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] has proven to be able to reconstruct offensive lines via the portal in recent years. There’s a lot of talent for the Sooners to work with upfront.

Is Oklahoma Ready in the Trenches?

Oklahoma is a legit top program, but the secret to the SEC is the line play, and they won’t be able to do what they want on offense if they can’t protect against the average DL in this league. – Anonymous SEC Coach

The Sooners are one of the premiere programs in college football. Seven national titles and 50 conference championships speak to that reality. At the same time, they’re taking on a different animal when they enter the SEC. Every week, the Sooners are going to be challenged up front.

Oklahoma’s added Michael Tarquin, Febechi Nwaiwu, Branson Hickman, Spencer Brown, and Geirean Hatchett to the offensive line depth chart via the transfer portal. Tarquin, Nwaiwu and Hickman could be week one starters up front and provide a ton of experience and upside to the Sooners offensive line.

2022 signees Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor look ready to ascend into the starting lineup. Both guys had great offseasons and look the part of big-time offensive line prospects.

Hickman’s new to the group, arriving in the spring portal window. However, with more than 2,400 snaps under his belt and should get acclimated to the unit by week one.

This is a unit that feels less concerning now than it did when the offseason started and Bedenbaugh and the players will pull it together.

Seth Littrell brings the goods

If you’re looking for a new offense, it won’t be drastically different from [former offensive coordinator Jeff] Lebby, but they’ve got to run the ball more effectively than they did when he was there. Seth [Littrell] is a made-to-order kind of OC, a really experienced guy who is going to scheme to fit. – Anonymous SEC Coach

Oklahoma turned over both coordinator positions this offseason, but they went to an experienced guy in Seth Littrell. As important as his time spent as a playcaller is the time he spent as an offensive analyst with the Sooners in 2023. He’s familiar with the roster, with Jackson Arnold, and in turn, the players are familiar with Littrell.

With Littrell, the hope is a more physical offense with a more aggressive mindset. Jeff Lebby was good, but too often, Oklahoma struggled in short-yardage situations and Lebby often looked risk-averse. If Littrell can help the offense have a more physical mindset it will go along way in the SEC.

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Sooners inside USA TODAY Sports Top 10 after spring ball

The Oklahoma Sooners are on a positive trajectory and answered a lot of questions this spring. USA TODAY Sports considers OU a top 10 team.

There are varied opinions on where the Oklahoma Sooners stand heading into 2024. The Sooners are a team with a ton of talent, but how they handle their first season in the SEC is the question.

Oklahoma certainly has question marks, but they also have a track record that minimizes the questions along the offensive line and at quarterback. And that’s why it’s not necessarily surprising to see the Oklahoma Sooners inside the top 10 of USA TODAY Sports post spring top 25. Oklahoma comes in at No. 8.

The Sooners improved from six wins to 10, including a victory over Texas, in Brent Venables’ second season. QB [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] had a strong spring and the receiving corps should be outstanding with Purdue transfer [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag], a star in the spring, a major addition. The defense will continue its improvement with LB [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and DB [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] two standouts that opted to stay for another season. Whether it is ready for the grind of the SEC is the team’s biggest concern. – Erick Smith and Paul Myerburg, USA TODAY Sports

While the offense may have something to prove, the defense has shown encouraging signs that it can be one of the top defenses in the country. Bringing back Stutsman and Bowman to a defense full of young, fast, physical, and athletic players at all three levels was arguably the most important thing that happened this offseason.

[autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] solved questions along the offensive line with development and a few key transfer portal additions. The addition of [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] provides the Sooners with a legit game breaker to go along with big-play threats [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag], [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag], and [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag].

Brent Venables improved from year one to year two and there’s reason to believe he’ll continue to make positive strides as a head coach. He and his staff are crushing it on the recruiting trail and show no signs of slowing down. As they continue to build the roster Venables has envisioned since his arrival to Norman, it puts Oklahoma one step closer to national title contention.

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‘We have a lot more cohesion now,’: Oklahoma Sooners’ star linebacker on Year 3 in Brent Venables’ defense

Year 3 in Brent Venables’ system is usually when you see the biggest jump and that shouldn’t be any different at Oklahoma.

Coming into the 2024 college football season, there might not be a more experienced group than the Oklahoma Sooners’ defense. Now, they have to take the step many think they can which has been common in year three under [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag].

Historically, year three is when his defenses have taken the biggest jumps. Getting guys like [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag], and [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag] to decide to come back for their final seasons was huge for Oklahoma to continue the growth they’ve made.

Stutsman spoke about what it’s been like for him now that he’s in his third year running the show. “We have a lot more cohesion now,” Stutsman said. “We’re not really trying to explain so much. Just trying to tweak everything out.”

That’s what we’ve seen from Venables’ defenses in the past. They eventually get to the point where the players are able to be coaches on the field. It helps the players learn it faster and limits a lot of the confusion with his already complex defense.

That’s a big reason why people think Oklahoma can have a top 20-30 unit in 2024. Knowing the defenses they’ve had in the past, that would be a major jump and improvement.

There isn’t much question the defense is the better unit at this point and is expected to lead the Sooners in 2024 this upcoming season. It’s been a long time since Oklahoma has relied on their defense to be the catalyst for their success. But with a first-year starter at quarterback and the turnover they’re facing on the offensive line, the Sooners defense will need to be a their best for Oklahoma to contend this season.

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Marcus Wimberly raves about the Oklahoma culture after committing to the Sooners

4-Star safety Marcus Wimberly recently committed to the Oklahoma Sooners and he talks about why Oklahoma made the most sense.

The Oklahoma Sooners got a surprise commitment this past weekend from 4-Star safety [autotag]Marcus Wimberly[/autotag]. Wimberly hadn’t previously made a commitment date announcement or even really hinted one was coming but he ultimately decided Oklahoma was the place to be and announced his commitment on April 6, 2024.

Wimberly made it 11 commits for Oklahoma. It’s also a huge win for safeties coach [autotag]Brandon Hall[/autotag] once again. Wimberly is 6-foot-1 and 183 pounds. He’s also ranked as the No. 9 safety in the class according to Rivals. He was up this past weekend on an unofficial visit and that’s when he decided to commit to the Sooners.

The Sooners ultimately beat out the Michigan Wolverines and the Arkansas Razorbacks whom he was once committed. Wimberly did an exclusive interview with OUInsider’s Brandon Drumm and Parker Thune about his recruitment journey and how he ended up committing to Oklahoma.

“It kind of goes to a phrase that I live by, ‘don’t talk the talk but walk the walk,'” Wimberly said. “Coach Hall would tell me all of these great things about Oklahoma and the team and this great culture that they have there and the family feeling. A lot of universities will say all of these things, but really, when you get there, it’s the polar opposite. So, when I got there, he meant what he said, and it showed.”

Wimberly went on to say he got that feeling after watching the team practice. He mentioned how [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] was helping coach the other guys, but everyone was holding each other accountable. He then ate with some of the players and got their take on the culture.

“They were like, ‘Dude it’s awesome, you have a brotherly bond with everybody that you wouldn’t think you’d have in college,'” Wimberly said. “That’s what really stuck out to me and the [autotag]SOUL Mission[/autotag] stuff. I’m super strong in my faith, and I want to use my platform to reach as many souls for God that I can. And with the SOUL Mission stuff, I think it’s great, and they do a great job at doing outreaches.”

Since Brent Venables took over at Oklahoma, one constant review of the program from families and prospects is just how great the culture is. It’s a big reason why prospects commit and sign with Oklahoma.

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‘I don’t think that’s going to happen to Oklahoma’: On3’s J.D. PicKell on if OU will get dominated in the trenches

The Oklahoma Sooners are heading into a new conference but one person from On3 says they will be just fine up front.

The Oklahoma Sooners are about to wrap up spring ball with just under two weeks to the Spring game. Still, there are a lot of question marks that need to be answered. The same is true for every team in the nation.

One of the biggest question marks for Oklahoma is how well will they hold up in the trenches in the SEC. The offensive line has been a major question mark since losing five starters from a year ago. The interior of the defensive line is talented but very young.

On3’s J.D. PicKell said he doesn’t think Oklahoma will have any problem holding up inside.

You bring back 79% of the production on defense from a year ago, which is massive. Brand new quarterback in Jackson Arnold. The thing about Oklahoma, I really think the defense is going to be okay. I think the defense is going to be more than fine to hold up their end of the bargain going into the SEC. I know that’s kind of the punchline for a lot of folks. ‘Ah, get ready for the SEC trenches. Get ready for those big boys up front, they are going to take you to the woodshed.’ I don’t think that’s going to happen to Oklahoma. – On3 Sports

PicKell went on to say he feels Oklahoma’s success will be directly tied to [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag]. We obviously saw the good and the bad from Arnold in last year’s bowl game. He’s going to have to take care of the football.

I get where PicKell is coming from, but that’s too much optimism that I’m not ready to buy into just yet. I want to see it vs. SEC teams. I think the offensive line has talent but they have to gel. That’s the most important part. If they can be an average SEC offensive line, I think Oklahoma can have a big season.

But we haven’t seen that just yet. Also, if it’s a weakness of the team, the offensive coordinators can scheme up ways to cover it up so it’ll be interesting to see if they can do that.

I love the optimism from Pickell, but I’m not ready to buy stock in that just yet.

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Oklahoma Sooners defense continues to develop in year three with Brent Venables

The defense will be one of the most experienced in college football next year and it’s time for them to take that massive leap.

Spring practice number seven is officially in the books for the Oklahoma Sooners. We are now a little more than two weeks away from the spring game on April 20, 2024.

Once again, a big topic for the Sooners this offseason has been the competitive depth. Brent Venables mentioned it in his post-practice press conference on Tuesday and there have been a number of reports about how deep this team looks compared to teams in the past.

One of the groups with the most experience returning is the defense. It should be one of the more experienced groups in the country. While it is never perfect, Venables believes it’s getting to where he wants it.

“At spots it is,” Venables said. “Overall, we do have another year in the system. I just look at all of the systems, and I think it’s important, starting with the excitement that you need to have, the passion that you need to have, the focus intensity that you need to have whether you are in segment meetings, team meetings or you come to this practice field. Whether it’s a walkthrough or it’s a two-minute drill to win the game. All of it should have the same level of passion, intensity and focus. Having a group of guys that are obsessed with the physical toughness, that are obsessed with developing our team, that are obsessed with the details, obsessed with having the right mindset every single day.”

Venables mentioned the linebacker and cornerback rooms as two groups he feels are in the best shape since he’s gotten here. Both positions are full of depth and it has many wondering how they are going to figure out who to play.

In the era of the transfer portal, you worry about guys transferring if they aren’t getting enough playing time, but you would rather have that issue of too many talented guys than not enough. Especially heading to the SEC.

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More experience with the defensive coaches could be the biggest difference in Year 3

Brent Venables believes the experience of the Sooners defensive staff making a difference this spring.

It is crazy to think just three years ago, Brent Venables was gearing up for his first season as the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. It feels like yesterday we were watching him get off a plane at Max Westheimer airport.

His first year showed his inexperience as a head coach. No, he didn’t have a great roster but his game management wasn’t what it needed to be. Year two showed a ton of growth as a head coach. His game management was much better, and his roster was better, too. They developed players well but also found gems in the portal and in high school recruiting.

So, what has Venables noticed about Year 3 so far?

He spoke about it with reporters after practice Tuesday. “I think there is more depth from an experience standpoint of myself, Zac (Alley) and our other defensive coaches than maybe what we had before. So, there is a different level of trust and understanding. Zac thinks more like me and does a good job no matter what it is. Whether it’s the fundamentals, if it’s areas of weakness, if it’s development drills, or if it’s scheme-wise and situationally. We work through a lot before we come out to practice.”

Combine the experience of the coaches with the experience of the defensive players, and you can see why so many are excited about how good the defense can be next season. They still have areas of weakness, like every team, that will need to be addressed. But if they turn their bring their weaknesses along, they could be a special group in 2024.

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Best photos from latest Oklahoma Sooners spring practice

Spring ball is heating up and here are the best photos from the Oklahoma Sooners latest spring practice.

Spring practice is in full throttle as the Oklahoma Sooners prepare for the 2024 college football season. There are a number of intriguing storylines to watch this spring with [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] taking over at quarterback and the turnover along the offensive line.

The newcomers are making a strong impression on the media in attendance. [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] and [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag] have stood out in the passing game as Arnold gets acclimated to life as the starting quarterback.

Defensively, true freshmen [autotag]David Stone[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], and [autotag]Reggie Powers[/autotag] have mixed in with the first-team defense and looked good in the early going.

There are a number of players that the team is taking precautions with on the injury front, so it’s hard to know who exactly is leading the way in the most high-profile position battles.

What we do know is that this is a deeper team than what the Sooners took into the spring a year ago, especially at wide receiver, defensive back, and linebacker. The competitive depth across the board is better this spring than in any year of the [autotag]Brent Venable[/autotag]s era at Oklahoma, which should serve the team well as they try to work out their depth chart.

Here’s a look at the best photos from the Sooners most recent spring practice.