Three of Oklahoma’s best leaders have been known for some time.
But a fourth – a newcomer to the program – joined those three as team captain for Friday’s season-opening game against Temple.
Linebacker Danny Stutsman, safety Billy Bowman and quarterback Jackson Arnold were joined on Sunday night by tight end Bauer Sharp as captains for Friday night’s game.
Sharp, who began his career at the FCS level at Southeastern Louisiana as a quarterback, transferred to OU in January and has spoken about his actions as he immediately emerged as one of the best playmakers in the passing game.
“I keep saying that I have an inferiority complex in everything I do because of where I’m from,” Sharp said. “After high school, I had an offer to play quarterback. So I have a lot to earn and a lot to prove. I’ll say that every day.”
“Whatever is best for the team and the offense,” Sharp said in a post-practice interview last week.
Stutsman and Bowman have been starters in Brent Venables’ defense for three years. Stutsman led the Sooners in total tackles the past two seasons, and Bowman led the nation with three interception returns for touchdowns. Both have landed on multiple preseason award watch lists.
Arnold is a freshman at quarterback. The former five-star recruit from Denton, Texas, started at BYU last season and helped the Sooners to a thrilling win, then threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns in the Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona.
