John Shinn
Over a 30-minute span, Joey Halzle, Sam Bradford and Keith Nichol were given a chance to explain why each one should be Oklahoma’s next starting quarterback.
But none of the three viewed Oklahoma’s media day Friday morning as a job interview.
The question was phrased in several ways, but none were willing to lobby for his cause.
“I think that’s up to (OU coach Bob Stoops) to decide,” Halzle, the oldest of the three, said.
Bradford, a redshirt freshman, and Nichol, a true freshman, both followed the lead. Both said the decision wasn’t theirs. It will ultimately rest with Stoops, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel.
But all three head into preseason practices vying for one of the most coveted positions in college sports. Thus far, the competition has been waged away from the spotlight.
None of three had been available to the media throughout spring practice and Stoops suggested Friday’s question-and-answer session with the quarterbacks would be the group’s last for a while.
That seemed fine with the threesome. They’re a lot more interested in impressing the coaching staff than fielding questions from reporters.
But all know what it will take to emerge as the starter. In case there were any questions, Wilson laid it out Friday.
“The guy who plays within himself and allows the players around him to make plays will be the quarterback,” he said.
In other words, the one who makes the least mistakes will likely be the the one under center when the Sooners open the season Sept. 1 at Owen Field against North Texas.
Playing mistake-free football has been the battle cry for every quarterback competition during Stoops’ tenure. This one won’t be any different.
It’s the same formula the Sooners used to pick a starting quarterback four times since Jason White and Nate Hybl competed for the job in 2001.
“We have always said the guy this year just has to do his job; he does not have to carry the team,” Stoops said. “We ask them just to do their part and deliver the ball.
“You just have to go out there and play every snap to the best of your ability. If something goes wrong, just let it go and play the next play.”
None of the three has proven they he do that on a major college level. Inexperience is a trait they all share
Halzle, who came to the Sooners from a California junior college, has played only sparingly in two career games at OU. Bradford, who played his prep ball at Putnam City North, worked on the scout team while redshirting last season. Nichol got a head start by graduating from high school early and enrolling at OU in January. But he’s never played a game outside of his prep career in Michigan.
They also seem comfortable with battling each other for the job.
“I trust the other two,” Nichol said. “I really feel fortunate that, although this is so competitive, you are so close that it doesn’t need to be said. You understand, but you are also doing what is best for the team, not yourself.”
But there’s a sense the winner will get the keys to the football equivalent of a brand new sports car.
The Sooners return all of last season’s offensive line and receivers. Adrian Peterson might be in the NFL, but the Sooners managed to win eight games without him. Allen Patrick and Chris Brown carried the load in Peterson’s absence and they’re both back. Joining them is redshirt freshman DeMarco Murray, who showed incredible running ability during spring practice.
“We have so many weapons. Coach says it everyday, take care of the ball and get it into the playmakers’ hands and let them make you look good,” Bradford said. “Having that is a great help. We have so many playmakers, sometimes I look out there and I’m in awe. I watch people do things and I’m like, ‘man, how did you just do that.’”
Over the next month, the coaching staff will decide who will get to direct all that talent on the field.
Stoops said no one has won the job or lost it yet. And he’s happy with the way things are progressing.
“They are further along throwing the football than Paul (Thompson) was a year ago,” he said. “They are right where they need to be.”
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
