John Shinn
Norman, Okla. — Oklahoma’s quarterback competition might have dropped from a three-way race to a two-man duel.
The Sooners had their first practice of the 2005 preseason Thursday at the OU Rugby Fields and Tommy Grady was absent due to an intercession course.
It won’t be the only practice Grady, a redshirt sophomore, will miss.
“It will be spotty,” OU coach Bob Stoops said when asked how many practices Grady could miss. “He was in meetings today and he’ll be at practices as his schedule accommodates. We’ll give him all he can handle and keep him up to speed the best we can. Hopefully he won’t miss too much.”
OU wouldn’t put an exact number on how many practices Grady will miss. The intercession course is scheduled for Monday through Friday and lasts until Aug. 19. The fall semester begins Aug. 22. The class could cause Grady to miss several preseason practices.
OU’s sports information department said Grady would miss today’s Meet The Sooners gathering with fans to attend the class.
Stoops admitted it’s not the best thing for Grady in terms of his chances to earn the starting job. Still, he isn’t ready to write off Grady’s chances.
“It’s not the best thing or the most positive, but it’s not something that can’t be overcome,” Stoops added. “We’ll give him all those opportunities the best we can.”
Offensive coordinator Chuck Long said it will be hard for Grady to compete for the starting job with his current schedule.
“I would say it clears it up a little bit more at this point in time,” Long said.
Grady played in five games last season as backup to Jason White. He completed 12-of-14 passing attempts for 63 yards and one touchdown.
Thompson and Bomar took turns running the first team Thursday evening and will continue to do the same when Grady isn’t around.
But Long said Grady must pass the intercession course to play at all.
“He needs this class,” Long said. “Otherwise, he can’t play. He needs it for eligibility. That’s our No. 1 priority.”
Grady, Paul Thompson and Rhett Bomar were given equal reps at the quarterback spot during spring drills and the Sooner coaching staff was adamant the competition would continue into preseason practice.
It will be very difficult for Grady to remain in the race if he can’t regularly compete with Thompson and Bomar.
Grady said during media day for last season’s Orange Bowl he would probably transfer if he didn’t win the starting job.
Long was asked if Grady had already made the decision to transfer.
“Don’t know that,” he said.
The Sooners practice again today at 5:30 p.m.
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
