Oklahoma Sooners defensive coordinator Zac Alley knows the future of the defense is in good hands
The Oklahoma Sooners are a legit SEC defense, just ask Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, who after the game admitted that the Sooners' defense is one of the best in football. That's what you get with Brent Venables, as he's in year three now, so his guys are already in the system and some are […]
The Oklahoma Sooners are a legit SEC defense, just ask Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, who after the game admitted that the Sooners' defense is one of the best in football. That's what you get with Brent Venables, as he's in year three now, so his guys are already in the system and some are on their way out.
Guys like linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman are going to be on NFL teams next year, most likely. Those are two cornerstones of this defense gone in 2025, along with a few others possibly, too. But, that doesn't mean this team and their defensive mantra will just go away or fall off.
They have young guys all over the roster that are just waiting for their time, just waiting to be released, as their all eager to just go and hit someone. We saw a bit of that on Saturday against Tulane, and, man, it looks like this defense will be in great hands in the future.
Freshman safety Eli Bowen was one guy who showed that he was going to be very good when his time comes.
“Talk about a talented dude as a freshman," defensive coordinator Zac Alley said after their win over Tulane. "Just an encouragement to know that you have a really, really good young player who’s going to be here for a while and that you feel confident you can go in the game and execute for yourself.”
Bowen committed to Oklahoma, following in the footsteps of his brother Peyton Bowen, who also plays for the Sooners. This familial connection not only brought attention to Eli but also set a high bar for performance, given Peyton's successful freshman season and now sophomore season.
Eli Bowen's journey to Oklahoma was marked by his recruitment, where he chose the Sooners over other notable programs like Texas and Arkansas.
Upon arriving at Oklahoma, Eli Bowen was said to have an elite football IQ, even at such a young age, a huge reason the Sooners liked him so much. This is really the biggest thing that head coach Brent Venables loves about Bowen, especially for a player in the secondary.
The Sooners have a lot of young players like that, like Michael Boganowski, and so many others. This defense is going to be just fine in a few years, and the coaching staff knows that, too. Eli Bowen will be a huge part of this university pushing for a National Championship over the next four years.
Zac Alley’s Creativity With Oklahoma Sooners’ Defense On Full Display Vs. Temple
The Oklahoma Sooners hired Zac Alley to serve as defensive coordinator this past offseason, replacing Ted Roof. Alley came over from Jacksonville State, where he helped coordinate one of the best defenses in college football last season. Alley's prior relationship with Brent Venables and success elsewhere earned him the trust of Venables, who turned over […]
