Brent Venables reveals whether Oklahoma would turn to Casey Thompson at quarterback

Brent Venables didn’t budge when asked about veteran QB Casey Thompson in the aftermath of Oklahoma’s 30-23 loss to Missouri.

Now at 5-5, Oklahoma needs one win to become bowl eligible and it won’t be easy with games against Alabama and LSU remaining on the schedule.

Thompson, who’s on his fourth school, has not thrown a pass this year. Jackson Arnold has been the primary starter with true freshman Michael Hawkins also getting a look.

“Yeah I don’t know,” Venables said after the Missouri loss. “We’re not there right now in this moment.”

Thompson began his career at Texas in 2019 and played there for three seasons, becoming the full-time start in 2021.

He spent the 2022 season with Nebraska before transferring again to Florida Atlantic, where he played three games with the Owls last year. 

In total, Thompson has 5,338 yards, 52 touchdowns, 24 interceptions, a 63.5% completion percentage and 10 rushing touchdowns to his name.

As a member of the Class of 2018, Thompson was a four-star recruit out of Newcastle (Okla.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 4 overall prospect in the state, the No. 24 quarterback in the class and the No. 308 overall prospect in the class.

Arnold started his latest game in the loss to Missouri, going 15-of-24 for 74 yards and ran nine times for 56 yards.

If you look at Arnold and Hawkins’ stats combined this season, you get a stat line of: 1,779 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. Safe to say, Oklahoma hasn’t gotten much production out of the position.

To go to Thompson at this point would definitely send a shock to the Sooners’ offensive system. Although it remains to be seen if it would be positive or negative.

Rather than serve as the primary backup, Thompson is QB3 based on what we’ve seen this season. Arnold was the next man up following Dillon Gabriel’s departure for Oregon. But with neither Arnold or Hawkins setting the world on fire, Thompson getting a shot doesn’t seem that far-fetched.

However, as Venables put it, there seems to be no indication of Thompson coming in as the bowl savior against Alabama or LSU as of now.