Brent Venables’ recruiting prowess on full display with elite true freshman defender
Oklahoma's defense suffocated the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday night, posting their best defensive performance since perhaps the 2009 Bedlam game. A key part of that was the play of freshman cornerback Eli Bowen. I've written about Bowen numerous times, but Saturday felt like the game that finally established himself on the national stage. Bowen […]
Oklahoma's defense suffocated the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday night, posting their best defensive performance since perhaps the 2009 Bedlam game.
A key part of that was the play of freshman cornerback Eli Bowen. I've written about Bowen numerous times, but Saturday felt like the game that finally established himself on the national stage.
Bowen was one of just three Sooners who played every snap on defense on Saturday, and he made those snaps count.
He was targeted five times, allowing just one catch for 30 yards while also recording a forced incompletion and an interception that felt like the dagger in Alabama's chances to win the game.
Oklahoma matched him up against freshman standout wide receiver Ryan Williams all game. Williams earned his fair share of plays, but ultimately only caught one of his four targets when matched up against Bowen.
Bowen virtually erased one of the best wide receivers in the country as a freshman.
His season-long resume is starting to add up and it's one of the most impressive of any corner in the country.
He has allowed just a 50% completion rate on the year for 114 yards and one touchdown (and that was a fluke and a half play), while also recording his first interception and pass breakup this past week. His lack of production on the ball stems more from teams being afraid to throw his way than his own lack of ability.
Only six corners nationwide have allowed fewer yards than Bowen this season.
He's putting up these kinds of numbers as a freshman despite playing elite receivers. Look at who he has faced this year:
- Bru McCoy: 2 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards
- Ryan Wingo: 1 target, 0 receptions
- Malcolm Simmons: 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
- Cam Coleman: 1 target, 0 receptions
- Matthew Golden: 1 target, 0 receptions
- Silas Bolden: 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards
- Vandrevius Jacobs: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 5 yards
- Antwane Wells: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
- Luther Burden: 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards
- Ryan Williams: 4 targets, 1 reception, 30 yards
- Germie Bernard: 1 target, 0 receptions, 1 INT
As a true freshman, he has lined up against the very best competition in the SEC every single week and has virtually erased them out of the game.
If he isn't a Freshman All-American, he got robbed. He's been nothing short of incredible all season long.
