For the first time during fall camp, Brent Venables met with the media on Saturday morning. Oklahoma is 27 days from facing Temple at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium as the 2024 college football season kicks off.
Here’s what Venables had to say about the Sooners on Saturday morning:
On how the offensive line has progressed during camp:
“I really like how that group is coming along. In regard to guys that we feel like can play winning football, we’ve got Jacob Sexton, Jake Taylor, (Michael) Tarquin, Febechi (Nwaiwu), Branson Hickman, Joshua Bates and several other guys along with those guys. The young guys and the new guys have really impressed with their ability to execute, and the older guys are better than they’ve ever been. The leadership that we’re getting from Sexton and Taylor and the improvement that they have brought to the table. Bill (Bedenbaugh’s) done a great job along with the rest of our guys on the offensive line coaching them up and getting them ready.”
On injury updates:
“We’re holding (Dasan McCullough) right now, trying to get him healed up. He’s got a toe but he’ll be fine in another week or so, and we’re really pretty good. (Jalil Farooq) has been out there and we haven’t put any limitations on him. (Andrel Anthony) has been running and he looks good. I don’t think he’s at full speed, but he’s done one-on-ones and he’s done a lot, so we’ll keep progressing with him as well.”
On the improved depth of the tight end room:
“We have the kind of balance we want both running and throwing the ball. Between Bauer (Sharp), Jake (Roberts), Kaden Helms, Davon Mitchell. Kade McIntyre has done a great job as well. It’s a group that can execute and block as well as a good group of guys catching the ball. So through three days, it’s a group that’s had a real transformation from where we were over the last couple of years.”
On the options at the cheetah position:
“I like the versatility in the positions, but we have a handful of guys that are very instinctive. They all might look a little bit different but we’ve got size, we’ve got speed, we’ve got physicality and guys that have good instincts. I really like the depth of the position, and many of those guys are playing multiple positions. You’re trying to play the guy’s strengths and not try to overload guys that can’t handle it. Just because their skill set will allow them, you don’t want to overload them mentally as a young player. A guy like Eli Bowen, he can do a lot. He’s got natural fundamentals, he doesn’t get overwhelmed by anything and he’s just a really good football player. You try to find those kinds of guys at that position that takes a unique skill set and then we’ll try to play to whatever skill set they have there.”
On running back Jovantae Barnes:
“He’s great. He got up in front of the team several nights ago and we love some of the things that he said and what his expectations were and the disappointment he experienced last year. Some of it’s not his fault and a lot of times, you have to get out of your own head and that’s all part of making progress. So that was good and he’s really having a really good first three days. In many ways he looks like his old self.”
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables' media availability before Meet the Sooners on Aug. 3.
Chapters:
00:00 Brent Venables discusses camp practices
00:48 Brent Venables discusses the improvement of players
01:12 Brent Venables discusses Jackson Arnold and offensive linemen
02:16 Brent Venables discusses Woodi Washington
02:46 Brent Venables discusses defense and their improvement
04:38 Brent Venables discusses coach Deakin
05:50 Brent Venables on what he has learned from past football camps
07:23 Brent Venables on comparing new teams to past rivalries
