NORMAN — With the announcement Tuesday that Sam Bradford will be Oklahoma's starting quarterback, it's fair to assume that freshman Keith Nichol could be questioning his future.
Advertisement
Or not.
Nichol's father, Gary, told The Oklahoman on Tuesday that Keith "loves OU and is not going to transfer.” And OU head coach Bob Stoops said Nichol is "probably not” going to redshirt this season.
Nichol, a native of Lowell, Mich., is still entrenched in a quarterback battle, but now it's for the backup job as he and junior Joey Halzle are splitting snaps equally with the second-team offense in practice now.
Losing out on the starting job wasn't easy to take for Nichol, who told his parents the news Monday night.
"When an 18-year-old has spent over half of his life working toward a single goal and it doesn't come true, that's not your best day,” his father said.
"He's disappointed, but he's very happy for Sam. (Keith) will continue trying to be the best quarterback he can be for OU. Just because he's made a mistake or something doesn't go his way, doesn't mean he quits. He regroups, retools and keeps moving forward.”
Just how he or Halzle will be used in the backup role is yet to be seen. Stoops and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson agreed that they don't currently have any plans to use two quarterbacks in the Sept. 1 season opener against North Texas.
But, as coaches like to say, the backup is only one snap away from being the starter.
"That's still true,” Stoops said. "I think it's obvious, the way they've worked, that they should be ready. Our guys have worked with them a lot, and they feel comfortable with whoever's in there, because they've been in the huddle with them quite a bit.”
And neither Nichol nor Halzle should feel the quarterback competition is over.
"I don't necessarily think this is a final decision,” Wilson said. "I don't think any of us has a crystal ball and knows what lies ahead in two weeks, five weeks, eight weeks. Last year, there were some things that presented themselves that no one expected.
"This is the plan, but I've got to plan for the unexpected.”
Bradford is getting all the practice snaps with the first-team offense to fully prepare him for the North Texas game.
But Nichol's career is far from finished.
"He's 18 years old,” Gary Nichol said. "To have mastered all he has mastered in the short time he's been there, imagine how good he's going to be a year from now, or two years from now. Imagine the quarterback he could be as a senior.
"This kid is going to be a great quarterback at OU, given the opportunity.”
Leave a comment.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
I would say good riddence to a kid that would transfer just because he was disappointed or didn't get his way. No matter how talented they are, you're better off without someone like that. I'd prefer a player with the character of Paul Thompson to a more talented player with a me first attitude.
This is more pap from the sports writers. The "Kid" just got out of high school. That he would come to OU with the idea he starts now or leaves is moronic. Do writers go to college?? I notice this occurs with all OU star recruits. The minute something goes against them the talk is always, " will he transfer"..Go to Stillwater and see if any of those DUI hounds are going to transfer. They sure as heck wont be booted if Sean thinks they can play. Why would Nichols transfer at this point? Only an idiot would think that!
I agree, he is an a competitor and at a highly regarded program. With a chance to play within the time he is there. This is dumb to speculate that he even considered transferring. He is just a snap away from the possibility of playing. We haven't even played in a game yet so we don't know what he can really do.
Yeah I agree with Mark...Just because Keith didn't get the starting position you guys try to make up a huge story about "If he is going to transfer?""Should he transfer?" I think it's crazy the kid is 18 and he is a competitor! Stop trying to stir up gossip this isn't US WEEKLY!
All this story shows is that owho are nothing but big babies and that one qb gets the job and the others run crying to other teams that there not starting and there life is in the drains. the one thing i have notice is that we dont hear anything about OSU players throwing a fit. Becuse OSU works to but them in somewhere where they can play well and still start!
Perfectly stated, Mark. Even having it come to the mind of some media nitwit who would have the stones to ask questions to determine whether a true freshman is going to take his ball and go home because he didn't get his way is moronic.
This is one of the dumbest stories I have ever read. Why do you try to create a story when a frosh qb doesnt win the starting job right out of high school. Give the 18 year old kid a break. There are times I wish we were back in the 60's and all freshman had to redshirt. Then we could get rid of idiotic stories like this one.
Please stop trying to make a story out of nothing and just report the news.
Keith NicholOU quarterback's father said his son is not going to transfer despite not winning Sooners' starting job
Related to this story
Articles
OU must decide on style of offense with Bradford 08/22/2007 NORMAN — When Bob Stoops arrived in Norman eight years ago, he brought with him an offense that preferred to pass, the antithesis of Sooner football past....
9
Please stop trying to make a story out of nothing and just report the news.