SoonerScoop YouTube: Welcome to Alamo Bowl week
It’s time to turn the page for OU to the Alamo Bowl. The early signing period has come and gone. We’re just a few days away from the closing of the initial transfer portal window.
Time to get back to work for Brent Venables and company. The No. 12 Sooners (10-2) take on No. 14 Arizona (9-3) in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Thursday night.
It feels a bit weird, maybe a bit nostalgic because it was two years ago when OU was in San Antonio. It was Bob Stoops handing the baton to Venables to take over. OU dominated Oregon on that night. Fans are hoping for the same Thursday against the Wildcats.
After a rocky 6-7 in 2022, here came the Sooners in 2023, back to a 10-win season.
“There’s been so much change from just a culture standpoint,” said wide receiver Drake Stoops. “All the things he brought in and the goals of the program. The goal is to develop us as young men. I think he found that if you could do that, then winning is just a byproduct of developing people and creating a good culture.”
The Alamo Bowl is about sending some of those leaders and captains out in style. But then it’s also about embracing the new faces.
It’s still Team 129, but all eyes start going toward Team 130. Especially starting quarterback Jackson Arnold and what he can do.
#24K getting an early start
But yes, you’re allowed to wonder what the fresh group of signees can do. OU has brought seven players who weren’t even with the program last Tuesday.
Quarterback Mike Hawkins, running back Xavier Robinson, defensive linemen Jayden Jackson, Wyatt Gilmore and Nigel Smith and defensive backs Jaydan Hardy and Eli Bowen.
SoonerScoop’s Eddie Radosevich and George Stoia were LIVE in San Antonio on Christmas day. Welcome to Alamo Bowl week on SoonerScoop.
