Brent Venables made his debut at the SEC Media Days in Dallas today.
Venables made brief opening remarks then took questions from the assembled media for a total of about a half hour on stage.
Here are some highlights.
On the SEC
“Oklahoma isn’t intimidated as a football program. We’re running toward the SEC…How ready we are? We’re excited for the challenge. I think you have to go through it.”
Quarterback Jackson Arnold
Earlier this morning former Alabama head coach Nick Saban told the SEC Network audience that football was one of the best team games.
Except for one position.
The quarterback.
Saban basically said that a good quarterback who can make plays and score points is a difference-maker.
Brent Venables agrees.
“Jackson understands better than anybody what goes into being a quarterback. His ability to handle the highs and the lows, the challenge, the success, the failure that the season will bring you—no one is more ready. No question about it, he’s ready for his moment.”
Jackson Arnold is the man in Norman.
The Sooners will go as far as Arnold takes them.
SEC Line of Scrimmage
Venables said the biggest difference in the SEC is the line of scrimmage.
In a follow up interview with Joe Tessitore, Dusty Dvoracek, Cole Cubelic and Roman Harper, Venables said the trenches were the “jugular” of the line of scrimmage.
And, he said he likes what he sees from his Sooners.
“I feel good that we’re in that 9-11 range on the offensive line that can play winning football for us. On defense, we’re in the 10-12 range on the D-line.”
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart agrees.
“As he (Venables) gets the players he’s recruiting more and more, they’re going to be a dominant defensive football team.”
Venables admitted some of his defensive linemen may not have the experience of some other teams but that he likes what he sees.
“I trust my eyes. And what I see, I like.”
Oklahoma returns 79% of its defensive production from 2023 and Venables said the Sooners have an “opportunity to be great.”
He mentioned players:
DJ Terry
Dom Williams
Champ Sanders
Jayden Jackson
David Stone
He referenced the Sooners have “great depth upfront.”
Then he went on to talk about how the middle of the defense is one of the strengths.
All American linebacker Danny Stutsman returns as does All American Safety Billy Bowman.
Venables said Ethan Downs has been one of the most consistent players and is the only starter outside…for now.
He mentioned a free-for-all for the other position including:
R. Mason Thomas
Caiden Woullard
Adepoju Adebawore
Danny Okoye
Nigel Smith
Venables admitted they were all great players but only time will tell if they will become “dudes.”
The secondary is the most out of season improvement he has seen so far.
Venables says he loves his corners in Gentry Williams and Woodi Washington, Kanai Walker, Dez Malone, Jacobe Johnson, Makari Vickers and Eli Bowen.
So, that’s it from SEC Media Days for Oklahoma and Brent Venables.
The Sooners are officially in the SEC and the countdown to opening night kickoff on Friday, August 30 versus Temple has begun.
Boomer.