QB candidates dream of being No. 1

By John Helsley

Published: August 4, 2007

NORMAN — Oklahoma's could-be quarterbacks for 2007 successfully sidestepped their first live swarming rush on Friday.

Shrugged it off quite well, too, essentially stiff-arming media attempts seeking any insight into what's ticking inside the three candidates: Joey Halzle, Sam Bradford and Keith Nichol.

Get to know them? Not hardly.

Not yet, anyway.

Maybe when one is tabbed the starter, which may take a while.

Before the Sooners bused across campus to take part in Meet the Sooners Day, OU's three quarterback first experienced what would best be described as their Meet the Media Day.

All three had been banned from media interviews in the spring. And while Halzle was previously available as Paul Thompson's backup, for Bradford and Nichol it was their first in-person dealing with reporters.

And inquiring minds begged to know: Why, in this tight three-man competition, was each best for the job?

The responses were less than revealing, except in proving that all three are coachable, at least in the ways of the media.

OU coaches can only hope their on-field tutoring turns out so well.

Halzle went first and was immediately pushed for reasons why he should be the starter.

"That's really not for me to say,” Halzle said. "We've all been working real hard, competing every day this summer. Working together and doing everything we can to make sure as a team, we're ready to go Sept. 1.”

Another reporter, different angle, same question…

"That's something for coach (Josh) Heupel and coach (Kevin) Wilson and coach (Bob) Stoops to talk about. We all work hard as a group.”

A group? Only one – barring a platoon system – can hold perhaps the most coveted position in Oklahoma.

Next.

But Bradford didn't bite, either, obviously schooled in the same Media 101 class as Halzle.

And when he offered what is clearly the company line – "That's really not for me to say” – groans echoed throughout the Red Room.

Although delivered to the interview room one by one, out in the hallway the quarterbacks compared notes, perhaps not to stray from the script.

That scene backed up all three quarterbacks' claims that the trio had grown tight during a summer spent mostly together.

"We spend almost every single day together, almost 10 hours a day, so we're all good friends,” Halzle said. "Off the field, we hang out, go get a bite to eat together. The competition stays on the field.”

Inside the interview room, even Nichol, the true freshman, delivered on cue.

"Obviously, I have a lot of confidence in myself,” Nichol said, offering some initial hope to reporters, only to dash that hope. "I have a lot of confidence in my teammates. I have a lot of confidence in the coaches. And I have a lot of confidence in the other two quarterbacks, Sam or Joey.

"I believe whoever starts is going to be able to bring this team to a Big 12 Championship and maybe national championship contention.”

In fairness, all three showed an engaging side to their personalities. They gave thoughtful answers to most questions.

Clearly, however, the one question was taboo.

Good news, Sooners fans, all three dream of being the guy – your guy – even if they won't tell you why they're deserving.

"It would mean a lot,” said Bradford, who played high school ball at Putnam North in northwest Oklahoma City. "Growing up here. My dad (Kent) played here. Coming to games as a kid. It's kind of been one of my dreams growing up.

"It would definitely mean a lot to me to walk out there in front of 85,000.”

Nichol: "I think every little kid dreams of that moment. You watch college football at home on Saturdays; just a year ago, I was watching preseason stuff on ESPN. I was dreaming of it then.”

Halzle: "It would be great for me. It's something I've been working at my whole life. I always wanted to get to this level. And once I got to this level, play.

"This would be a dream come true.”

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