Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables started talking about freshman Bowe Bentley and proceeded to describe the ideal backup quarterback.
Bentley is getting his first chance to show his OU coaches up close what he can do as the Sooners are in the midst of spring camp. Venables on Thursday was asked about his quarterback group that's led by returning starter John Mateer when he praised Bentley after being impressed already by the young player.
"Bowe, all he's done is just gotten better and better through not just the first couple of days, but the last several weeks," Venables said. "Where he was in OTAs a week ago, if he was standing right here right now, he would say, 'Man, I was swimming those first couple of days of OTAs,' which is just mini practices, and you kind of do your base install.
"Where he is today, he had an amazing throw right on time. I'm not gassing him or saying anything other than he just climbed the pocket, really firm and really delivered the ball well. But has done some really good things. Got great arm talent, natural instincts, knows how to throw guys open. He's super coachable, great self-awareness. He's in the building all the time. He's done a nice job."
Brent Venables hype for Bowe Bentley should have Sooners fans ecstatic
The new kid has arrived for Oklahoma at quarterback
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) March 25, 2026
Here's some of Bowe Bentley today in his first collegiate practice#Sooners pic.twitter.com/inygHwhymq
OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle jumped on Bentley early in the recruiting process and it ultimately paid off before Bentley signed as a top-10 QB in the 2026 class. In two seasons as a starter for Celina High School, Bentley lost just one game and led his team to a Texas 4A D-I state title in 2024. He completed 76.5% of his passes for 2,911 yards wand 32 touchdowns with seven interceptions as a senior. He also rushed for 474 yards and 11 TDs.
Mateer is clearly QB1 after returning. Venables also said as of only two days into spring practices that redshirt sophomore Whitt Newbauer, who transferred from Mercer last year, is the backup QB. The plan is likely for Bentley to redshirt in 2026, but he could very well challenge Newbauer for that QB2 job if needed.
Bentley seems to be the future of the position for the Sooners. And Venables' latest comments should confirm that and have OU fans ecstatic. Fans can't ask for much more out of a young reserve quarterback than having obvious promise, and not just improving everyday, but having a special drive already to be better.