OU football coach Brent Venables talks about wife's cancer battle, Sooners' opener
NORMAN — OU coach Brent Venables held his weekly press conference Tuesday ahead of Saturday's opener against Arkansas State (11 a.m., ESPN).
Here are some takeaways on what Venables had to say at the press conference:
Brent Venables gives update on wife Julie’s cancer battle
Venables gave a quick update on his wife's ongoing battle with breast cancer. Julie Venables was diagnosed June 16 and underwent surgery in late July.
“She’s doing good,” Brent Venables said. “Probably looking at some point here in the near future, we’ll probably have to do some form of chemotherapy.
“Things have gone well so far all things considered.”
More: OU football unveils initial depth chart for 2023 season. Here are our takeaways on Sooners
Tawee Walker a depth-chart surprise
One of the biggest surprises on OU’s depth chart, which was released Tuesday morning, was at running back where Marcus Major and walk-on Tawee Walker were listed as co-starters, ahead of Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk.
“He’s been really consistent, physical, available,” Venables said of Walker. “He’s been a guy that you can count on. … Does a lot of little things right. He plays really strong.”
Walker ran for 62 yards on 18 carries last season.
Venables said Barnes and Sawchuk, who have dealt with physical ailments during the offseason and preseason camp, would be available Saturday against Arkansas State.
Major has played in 28 games during his career, making one start — in the 2020 season opener against Missouri State.
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Brent Venables still celebrates recruiting victories
The Sooners picked up a big win on the recruiting trail last weekend with the commitment of five-star defensive lineman David Stone.
Venables was asked Tuesday if he still celebrated recruiting victories with the same fervor he did early in his career as OU’s defensive coordinator when he landed players like Gerald McCoy and Tommie Harris.
“Sure, no doubt,” Venables said. “This is a players’ game. Players make plays. My job is to recruit and have the best, strongest roster we can put together. Anytime you can recruit an elite player … you celebrate hard, you just don’t celebrate long.
Venables said in-state recruiting has been a focus.
“You just do what you do, you’re genuine in those relationships, you’re intentional about being present,” Venables said. “It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing to do it.”
More: OU football from A to Z: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Oklahoma Sooners
Justin Harrington impresses during camp
Justin Harrington arrived at OU with plenty of promise.
But after redshirting in 2020, Harrington played in just four games in 2021.
When Lincoln Riley left and Brent Venables came aboard, Harrington decided to enter the transfer portal.
It didn’t take too long for Harrington to decide he wanted to return to Norman.
Venables allowed him back, but this time as a walk-on.
Harrington carved out a role last season as a back-up at the cheetah spot.
He was expected to be there again this year, but when the depth chart came out Tuesday, Harrington was at the top, ahead of Indiana transfer Dasan McCullough.
“Again, consistency,” Venables said of Harrington. “His work ethic. He’s a vocal leader, competes at an incredibly high level. He’s been consistent with his body of work and his commitment to understanding the details.and consistently has made plays since we started.”
Harrington had 23 tackles, an interception and broke up two passes last season.
“He’s long, he’s athletic, he’s explosive,” Venables said. “Super aggressive. He can tackle. He’s really starting to understand all of it around him.”
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Venables: There’s a plan for Jackson Arnold’s usage
Dillon Gabriel is OU’s starting quarterback.
But backup Jackson Arnold is clearly the Sooners’ future at the position.Brent Venables said there was a plan in place to get Arnold in-game experience early in the season, though he didn’t go into much detail.
“You don’t want the first time they’re in a real game to be when you don’t have any other options,” Venables said. “Collectively, all of us have a vision for what that’s going to look like at the appropriate time.
“He’ll be the first one to tell you that he’s got a long ways to go to be where he wants to be, but he’ll be ready.”
Here are some other short takes from Venables’ press conference:
● On the battle between three punters: “They all have different strengths and weaknesses and that’ll continue to work itself out.”
● On drawn out position battles: “I think it’s more exciting for the players too. I think they understand there’s more of a sense of urgency, that the competition brings out the best in everybody, every play matters.”
● On Jonah Laulu: “Plays quicker inside, uses his hands well, plays with good pad level. … It’s made us better. And then Jonah’s a guy that’s a great leader. A year ago, I don’t know that we had great leadership inside.”
● On Oklahoma State transfer Trace Ford: “He’s a confident guy in his ability but humble for the process that it takes to play at the right level. … He’s earned his opportunity every step of the way. When he has been given some opportunity he made the most of those small windows like you want all your players to do.”
● On linebacker Konnor Near, who transferred from Division II Ferris State: “He’s really done a great job of jumping into competition and being humble and fitting. That can’t be an easy thing for a guy that’s been a four-year starter.”
● On Jacob Sexton’s health status after he tore his ACL in the Cheez-It Bowl: “Sexton is really close to getting the green light. … He’s had no setbacks whatsoever and we feel pretty good about his progress. Probably will be available in the next week or so.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football coach Brent Venables talks about Sooners vs Arkansas State
