Sooners head coach Brent Venables answers the question that the fan base has been waiting to hear at SEC Media Days
The Oklahoma Sooners have a really good quarterback room, and Brent Venables let everyone know who the backup QB is at SEC Media Days.
The Oklahoma Sooners have a pretty good quarterback room top to bottom.
Sure, John Mateer has to live up to the expectations and fix the issues he has. But, the guys behind him are pretty good, too. Meanwhile, the entire fan base has been wanting to know who that is in that role. Bentley, or Whitt Newbauer?
“Whitt and Bowe Bentley had fantastic springs and great summers,” Venables said. “Looked fantastic throwing the ball, making decisions. Nobody probably ever feels amazing about [turning to a backup], but we feel really good about the people, the talent, the leadership, things of that nature. And hopefully John stays healthy and all those kinds of things, and when we put Whitt in, it’s because he’s going to finish off a game.”
Bowe Bentlet will be the guy for Oklahoma, eventually
OU made it an effort to go after 2026 quarterback Bowe Bentley. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle desperately wanted him. And, they got him. In spring ball, Bentley was making headlines, as some reporters even said that he’s already got the best looking throwing motion, and possibly the best mechanics. But, would a true freshman be the immediate backup quarterback?
It feels like if for some reason John Mateer got hurt and was out for the season, Bentley would be the guy. This would help them get him ready for the 2027 season, where Bentley is supposed to be the guy for OU. Now, it’s obvious based on what Venables has said that he’s the third string QB when everyone is healthy. Whitt Newbauer is going to be the guy that comes in and gets those blowout reps against teams like UTEP, New Mexico, and so on.
And, Newbauer is a good quarterback. However, he seems like a much different one than the other two. He’s taller and stronger, and a bit slower. He seems like a QB who is more likely to stay in the pocket and take a beating. Either way, the OU QB room seems pretty good from top to bottom.