The Hurry-Up: Volume 3

NORMAN – The Oklahoma football team wrapped up the first full week of preseason camp Friday in preparation for the 2025 season. The third edition of SoonerSports.com's annual Q&A series, "The Hurry-Up", features junior defensive back Peyton Bowen and redshirt senior offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu.

DB Peyton Bowen

What are your takeaways from/impressions of the first week of camp?
"I think this is a very physical and fast defense, and our offense has a lot of juice. The way they move, the way they operate has been really good lately. Everyone is getting more reps and more time to run plays, it's looking like we're a well-rounded group. We still have those little things that we need to correct daily, and that's going to happen. We just need to take it step-by-step."

How do you see the secondary right now, as you're entering your third year and moving into a bigger leadership role?
"I think we have a lot of competitive depth. I like that, because it's going to make me better, and it's going to make other guys who have been here, like RJ (Robert Spears-Jennings), better. Day-by-day, the way we see these guys work, they're fighting for a position. We're all brothers and we love each other, but no spot is secured. If a dude is performing, they're going to play. So, you have to step up. You can't just get comfortable."

Did you work on anything in particular during the offseason, and do you have a different mindset going into this year?
"I would say my mindset has shifted a little bit. It's a league year for me. This is the year I have to show myself and really prove to people why I came here and who I was out of high school, that I'm going to be that guy. Over the offseason, I worked on being a leader. The first two years I didn't think that I was the leader of the team, but now I know that I have to step up and be one of the leaders of this team. Even if I'm not the most vocal guy, I'm going to at least show by example. I think that's the biggest stride I've had to take this offseason and summer."

OL Febechi Nwaiwu

What are your takeaways from/impressions of the first week of camp?
"I have a lot of hope for our team. We're looking pretty good, but the work's not done. Every day we have to improve in order to be the high-caliber team I know we can be."

What have been your personal expectations for preseason camp?
"My personal expectations are to just be a leader to these guys, bring the younger guys up and really step into a leader role. Help guys like Eddy (Pierre-Louis), Ryan Fodje and Mike (Fasusi) and really help them be the players I know they are capable of."

What are your early impressions of Coach Ben Arbuckle and the offense?
"I love it. Coach Arbuckle brings something new to this Oklahoma team. He brings a lot of energy, passion, explosive plays. I think it bleeds over into the players and this offense. You can feel it throughout the team, starting with John (Mateer), Deion (Burks), all of our receivers. You can just feel that energy that Coach Arbuckle brings and it bleeds into the leaders and just trickles down to everybody."

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DB Peyton Bowen

OL Febechi Nwaiwu

Players Mentioned

Peyton Bowen

Ryan Fodje

Febechi Nwaiwu

Robert Spears-Jennings

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics