Oklahoma Sooners OC Ben Arbuckle keeps it real regarding a player who didn’t have quite the spring game fans hoped to see
The Oklahoma Sooners brought on quarterback Bowe Bentley for a reason, and his first action against the first team defense doesn’t define who he will be.
Coming into the season for the Oklahoma Sooners, there was a question about who would be the backup quarterback behind John Mateer, the starting QB. Would it be true, freshman Bowe Bentley?
Or, would it be redshirt freshman Jett Niu, or maybe it would be redshirt sophomore Whitt Newbauer? Maybe, just maybe, the true freshman Bentley could crack the spot. That’s been the biggest question. However, Bentley did not have the best spring football game. He had two interceptions on the day. But, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle gave him a little grace.
“He’s got Michael Boganowski and Danny Okoye coming at him… I think it’s just going to propel him forward,” Arbuckle told reporters after the spring game.
Bentley has impressed during spring practice
According to many on-site attendees who have attended practices, Bentley may already have the best release, the best mechanics, and the quickest release. Bentley was a four-star quarterback in the Sooners’ 2026 class and was really their prized possession in the class.
Some of the videos we got, courtesy of guys like Josh Callaway at 247 Sports, showed that Bentley can already make very impressive throws. But, it’s early—there’s no live defense coming at him yet. Anyone who attended or covered the spring game on Saturday saw how much that matters. Oklahoma has a reputation for landing some pretty elite quarterbacks. The next one could be Bentley. However, as we have already said, it’s early.
And, it doesn’t help that he went up against what could end up being the best defense in the country once again. As Arbuckle said, that could only help him in the long run, but as for the game, they likely made his life hell.
Bentley will be fine, and as long as he sticks to the things we have heard he does and stays with his process, the Sooners should already have their next starting QB for 2027 on the roster.
