During Oklahoma’s inaugural SEC Media Days, head coach Brent Venables expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming challenge and the chance to play in the top league in college football when addressing the media.
Three important members of this year’s Oklahoma squad, QB Jackson Arnold, senior leaders LB Danny Stutsman and S Billy Bowman, joined Venables on stage. During his opening remarks to the reporters’ interview, Venables expressed his excitement for what he calls “Team 130” and the team’s direction and development since January. However, he also said that continuing to improve will require a lot of work over the next weeks and during the season.
The Sooner head coach remarked, “We’ve got a terrific balance of both experience and an amazing foundation of young.” According to Venables, OU has 52 scholarship players who are either freshmen or sophomores on the roster, and about 24 players who are in their third or fourth year as starters.
He went on, “As a football program, we are genuinely looking forward to the challenge. It goes without saying that the SEC is a deep, tremendously competitive league unlike any other in college football.”
When asked what he expects from Jackson Arnold as a rookie starting quarterback, Venables responded that Arnold has the toughness, instincts, skill, and arm talent to be an excellent quarterback. What Venables likes best about Arnold is that he can handle the highs and lows, challenges, successes, and failures that a season will bring.
People are at their best when they are around Arnold. He’s ready for his chance and his time, no doubt about it,” Venables stated.
When asked how prepared coach thought his Oklahoma squad was to face the SEC, Venables responded. “Oklahoma is a competitive football program that doesn’t back down. The head coach of OU declared, “We’re heading towards the SEC.”
“We’ve been anticipating this collaboration for a few years, to be a part of the greatest league in college football.”
Brent Venables, during the SEC Media Days
One question that has come up in every interview over the first two days of SEC Media Days has been about the conference’s potential effects from Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC. When asked what that meant about the two former Big 12 schools, Venables responded.
According to Venables, “It’s a cooperation of the elite with elite.” He continued, “These are two programs that, in the annals of college football, are second to none.” And nobody gives the SEC any priority.
Click here to view the full transcript of Brent Venables’s SEC Media Days press conference.
Venables spoke separately with beat journalists covering the Sooners and gave numerous OU players an update on their injuries before taking the stage to speak to media covering the SEC.
Wide receiver Andrel Anthony has been recovering from an ACL tear he suffered during OU’s victory over Texas in the previous season. Although Anthony has had a nice summer, according to Venables, he is still not quite cleared. “I think he will be able to participate in practice before the first game, and we’re hopeful about that,” Venables stated.
Rehab for WR Jalil Farooq’s fractured foot has been ongoing. According to Venables, he is doing well, although foot injuries are difficult to treat. The Sooners are optimistic that Farooq will be ready for the first game of the season.
Casey Thompson, the backup quarterback who transferred to Oklahoma this offseason, tore his ACL early in the previous season while playing for Florida Atlantic. However, he has recovered completely and is free to play.
Cornerback Gentry Williams, who had surgery to repair a ruptured labrum, is also back and fully functional. He was not allowed to practice in the spring, but he can return for the fall training camp.
Washington transfer Geirean Hatchett has been rehabbing this offseason from a lower leg injury, adding to the already concerning circumstances surrounding OU’s rebuilding offensive line. That’s good news, though, because Hatchell has been free of any restrictions for about a month. According to Venables, center Troy Everett is recovering faster than expected from a knee injury he sustained at the conclusion of spring practice in March. Though the medical staff believed Everett would miss the season opener at the end of May, there is now more hope for his comeback a few weeks before preseason training camp begins.
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