Why Brent Venables is confident in Oklahoma’s backup quarterback options going into 2024.

In addition to introducing a new starting quarterback this fall, the Sooners completely rebuilt their positional depth during the offseason.

Oklahoma has learned the value of having a backup quarterback in recent seasons.

Following an incredible run of success at quarterback that began with Baker Mayfield, continued with Kyler Murray, and ended with Jalen Hurts, the Sooners have had to rely on their backup signal caller every year since Spencer Rattler took over as the team’s starter in 2020.

When OU has a reliable passer to bring onto the field behind its starter, things usually go well for the Sooners.

Tanner Mordecai entered the Red River Rivalry in 2020 when Rattler appeared to be overwhelmed and was able to calm the Sooners’ offense, going 5-of-7 and quarterbacking a short touchdown drive to keep the Crimson and Cream in the game.

Caleb Williams replaced Rattler in the Red River Rivalry in 2021, and he staged one of the program’s most historic comebacks.

In 2022, however, during Brent Venables’ first year in Norman, the Sooners lacked a reliable backup quarterback and were forced to pay the price when Dillon Gabriel was unable to play. Davis Beville started against Texas in one of Oklahoma’s worst blowout losses ever. Against the Longhorns, the former Pittsburgh transfer went 6-of-12 for 38 yards and one interception.

In 2023, however, Jackson Arnold served as Gabriel’s backup, guiding the Sooners to victory when the now-Oregon quarterback went down against BYU. With Arnold now serving as OU’s full-time starter, new offensive coordinator Seth Littrell and his staff needed to add depth behind the former 5-star prospect.

Early in training camp, it appears that Oklahoma has a strong group of players supporting Arnold.

“(The backup quarterbacks) come to work everyday, improved through everything that we’ve put them through,” Venables claimed on Tuesday. “They know how to compete when put under pressure. They’ve shown signs of, Casey (Thompson) in particular, knowing what to do. And I think he’s still, he’s been a dual-threat guy in the past, but we’re trying to limit that, but he doesn’t have any limited mobility. We’re just trying to be careful with him. All the football that he’s played, it shows.

“And then Mike (Hawkins) has done a great job. Mike can really spin it. He makes good, quick decisions. He’s a threat when extending plays and putting the defense in conflicting positions. And there’s, again, young moments as well. But I really like that group as a whole and what we’ve been able to do there over the course of the summer and the early part of fall camp”

Venables mentioned two players, redshirt senior Casey Thompson and true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., who will compete for the team’s backup quarterback position throughout training camp after both arriving in Norman in January.

Thompson joined OU after spending three years at Texas and one year each at Nebraska and Florida Atlantic. Casey, the son of former Oklahoma quarterback Charles Thompson, started against the Sooners at Nebraska and Texas.

Despite dealing with injuries throughout his career, Thompson has accumulated 5,338 yards and 52 touchdowns through the air, including a 388-yard performance in the Red River Rivalry, in which the former Southmoore (OK) and Newcastle (OK) standout threw five touchdown passes against the Sooners.

Thompson spent the 2023 season at FAU, but only appeared in three games before suffering a season-ending injury. Even if Thompson lacks the physical skills he once possessed, the veteran quarterback’s knowledge and leadership are valuable in the Sooners’ quarterback room.

Thompson is joined by Hawkins, whose father, Michael Hawkins Sr., played defensive back at Oklahoma.

Hawkins, a true freshman who arrived in Norman as an early enrollee, impressed his teammates and coaches during spring workouts and practices and appears to be quickly learning the OU offense.

Hawkins was a 4-star prospect coming out of high school, and Rivals ranked him as the third best quarterback prospect in the country. After leading Emerson (TX) through a difficult playoff schedule to the state semifinals, Hawkins advanced to the Elite 11 Finals, where he faced the country’s top quarterbacks in Los Angeles.

Hawkins, who has dual-threat capabilities, appears to fit well in Littrell’s offense and could show off his abilities in spot situations this season, particularly during the Sooners’ non-conference schedule.

While Hawkins has received praise from his head coach, Venables isn’t the only one in Oklahoma’s locker room who has noticed how well the young signal caller has played.

“With Jackson (Arnold) stepping up, Mike Hawkins stepping up, they’re learning to take on that leadership role,” running back Gavin Sawchuk said Tuesday. “From a quarterback aspect it’s a little different. But they’ve been great, it’s very impressive what they’re doing. Leading the team, getting that chemistry with the wide receivers, with the running backs, trusting the O-line. They’ve been doing great.”

While Arnold is expected to be the team’s starter this year, having multiple good backup quarterback options provides Oklahoma with insurance in case Arnold is forced to miss a few weeks, allowing OU to remain competitive in the SEC.

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