Oklahoma Football Spring Game: Quarterback Competition

Apr 14, 2012; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Blake Bell throws the ball during first half of the Oklahoma football spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest things the Oklahoma Sooners needed to find out in the Oklahoma football Spring Game was whether or not one of their quarterbacks were ready to step up and take over the position that Landry Jones left behind. The best thing that came out of the game was that all three quarterbacks showed they have something to offer.

One of the players that fans seem most drawn to is Blake Bell. In 2011-2012, Bell became a fan favorite with OU faithful thanks to his Belldozer formation that resulted in 24 rushing touchdowns in the two seasons. However, his arm is what is most important if he wants to be the starting quarterback and with only 20 pass attempts in two seasons, he has a lot to prove.

In the 2012 Oklahoma football spring game, Bell looked good and won the backup position away from the transferring Drew Allen. Now, in the 2013 Oklahoma football spring game, he needed another solid performance.

For his part, Blake Bell did nothing to hurt his chances of opening the 2013 college football season as the starting quarterback for the Sooners.

Bell completed 13 of 22 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Heupel also probably didn’t win any brownie points from defensive coordinator Mike Stoops when he continued to call sneaks and quarterback designed runs. Defenders are not allowed to sack or tackle quarterbacks, so these plays really didn’t tell us anything about the quarterbacks legs and skills at avoiding tackles.

That hurt Kendall Thompson the most. Coming into the game, most of the talk surrounded Blake Bell and red-shirt freshman quarterback Trevor Knight. However, Thompson looked very impressive with his decision making skills and his scrambling abilities. Thompson ran eight times for 35 yards (4.35 per carry) while completing 8 of 15 (53%) passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. He was also responsible for the final go-ahead touchdown in the Oklahoma football spring game.

Since Thompson was injured most of his senior season at Southmore (OK) High School, he has not played extensively since 2009. That makes him intriguing and the one quarterback with the most opportunity for improvement.

The third quarterback is Trevor Knight, the one most likely to become a superstar before he leaves OU. Knight completed 11 of 17 passes (64%) for 151 yards with one touchdown. He also ran the ball seven times for 36 yards in the game.

Coming out of the Oklahoma football spring game, it looks like Blake Bell will keep his grasp on the starting quarterback job for now, but his backups look like they will be ready to step in if needed.