The Spring Hurry-Up: Volume 3

NORMAN – Oklahoma spring football practice rolls along through its third week, as the Sooners continue working toward the 2026 season and the spring game nears on April 18. The third edition of SoonerSports.com's spring Q&A series "The Hurry-Up" features redshirt senior kicker Tate Sandell, junior linebacker Cole Sullivan and freshman quarterback Bowe Bentley.

Tate Sandell follows through with a field goal kick during 2026 spring practice on Owen Field in Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

K Tate Sandell

What was your personal favorite play from last season?
"My best memory, I would probably say the first 55 (yard field goal) at Tennessee."

What is one thing you are working to improve for next season?
"I would say just longevity towards the end of the season, being at my best when my best is needed."

What has been your favorite road/neutral stadium you've visited at OU?
"Definitely the Cotton Bowl or Tennessee. It doesn't get better than that."

Which professional athlete at your position is your favorite?
"I mean you could never pin it to one guy because you get so many things from so many guys, but probably of course Brandon Aubrey and a guy like Will Lutz. I would probably say those two."

What is your favorite thing to do away from football/school?
"Fishing or golf. I am not very good at golf, but I enjoy it. My favorite type of fish to catch is red fish down there on the coast. I'm a big saltwater guy, so I can only go when I go home, I don't have any of my gear up here."

What is your favorite pro sports team and why?
"It's got to be the Cowboys. It's a hard thing to watch sometimes, but they are my favorite."

What is your favorite meal/dish?
"It's probably what my mom makes, smothered steak with gravy over rice. It's a Cajun dish."

Why do you wear your jersey number?
"I took it after Cam Little, you know he is the kicker for the Jaguars. I guess he is another guy I kind of model my game after. You know I was a skill guy in high school, so I wanted a football number, and 29 seems like a good number. I was a DeMarco Murray guy growing up too, a Cowboy's fan so guys like that and like Cam Little, that's kind of why."

Do you have any secret talents?
"I'm very fast for my position. I did the triple jump, long jump and the 100-meter relay in high school. It was fun."

What do you like most about head coach Brent Venables?
"I'd say intensity. It's his intensity for me, because I respond when people kind of back me in a corner, I like that. That's where I think I thrive, because then I make it a challenge for me in return."

What do you like most about your position coaches?
"They are an unbelievable support staff. Anything you need they're going be there for you and vice versa. We are dependent on each other, and it works in harmony."

Cole Sullivan in full pads white uniform performs a drill during 2026 spring practice on the OU football practice fields.

LB Cole Sullivan

Why did you choose to come to OU?
"I think it's the intensity Coach Venables brings, along with the intentionality and standard he holds for everything this team does. You can see the rest of the staff holds those same expectations."

What is your favorite thing about Norman so far?
"Probably the food. There are a lot of options – tacos, BBQ. The weather is nice too. I know people say it's unpredictable, but I'll take that over snow most of the time."

Where is your favorite place on campus?
"Definitely the facility. And even though it's not on campus, Midway Deli is my favorite food spot."

What is one thing you are working to improve for next season?
"Being more of a leader and understanding the defense better. I need to communicate more and play with confidence so my teammates can trust me."

Which professional athlete at your position is your favorite?
"I grew up a Steelers fan, so Ryan Shazier was my guy. I know he had that unfortunate injury, but I loved watching him play."

What is your favorite thing to do away from football/school?
"Whenever I get a break, I like going home, seeing my family, and spending time with my dog and friends. If I'm not doing that, I'm playing golf. It's peaceful – a good way to relax."

What is your favorite pro sports team and why?
"I'm a huge Steelers fan. If you're from Pittsburgh, you don't really have a choice – you're born into it. There are no bandwagon fans. Whether they're good or bad, we stick with them."

What is your favorite meal/dish?
"My grandma's chicken and dumplings. She lives in Kentucky, and every time I go visit, she makes it with mashed potatoes. It's the best."

Name something you do every single day, no matter what else happens?
"Read my Bible before bed. No matter what kind of day I had, I try to give thanks and stay grateful."

Why do you wear your jersey number?
"It's kind of a funny story. My first year of tackle football, my mom signed me up with No. 98 – my dad's number at Kentucky – but it was way too big for me. The only number that fit was 18, so I stuck with it. I wore it through high school, switched to 23 at Michigan, and when Coach Venables said I could go back to 18, I was excited."

What do you like most about head coach Brent Venables?
"His intensity. He doesn't let anyone slack off and treats everyone the same – no favoritism. He expects greatness from everyone, and that makes the whole team better."

What do you like most about your position coach?
"Coach (Nate) Dreiling also sets a high standard for our room – no excuses, just expectations to be the best. (James) Skalski has been great because he's played in this system, so he understands both the player and coach perspective."

Bowe Bentley in full pads in blue jersey preforms a drill in 2026 spring practice on the OU practice fields.

QB Bowe Bentley

Why did you choose to come to OU?
"I feel like it's just the locker room. That's where it was different from every other school I was choosing between. It's a brotherhood. When you look at the history, everything runs through that locker room, and that's why they win so much. I think that was the biggest difference for me."

What is your favorite thing about Norman so far?
"Every day is different. You get snow, rain, even tornadoes. I'm from Texas, and we don't even get all that. Out of all the places I've been, that's probably the most random thing, and I think that's the best part."

Where is your favorite place on campus?
"The facility. I love being there. I spend all day there – it's really my home. I spend more time there than in the dorms, so I'd say that's my favorite place."

What is one thing you are working to improve for next season?
"Just getting adjusted to the speed of the game. That jump from high school to college is crazy, especially in the SEC. I played against some good players in Texas, but nothing like this. So just getting comfortable with the speed, the terminology, and learning a new offense after running the same one for four years. Understanding why we're doing things and slowing the game down mentally is the biggest thing for me."

Which professional athlete at your position is your favorite?
"I'd say Baker Mayfield. I grew up an OU fan, so I came to games and Baker was always my guy. I've got signed cards and everything. I love watching him play. Whenever I have free time, I go back and watch his tape and study how he plays. I'm not going to be exactly like him, but hopefully I can get close."

What is your favorite thing to do away from football/school?
"Sleep – I love to sleep. But also golf. I grew up playing, and my brother plays too, so we played a lot in high school. Anytime I have free time, I try to get out there. I'm not the best, but I'm always trying to improve."

What is your favorite pro sports team and why?
"The Dallas Cowboys. Growing up in Dallas, that's the team. It's America's Team. I've had the chance to train with Dak and some of those guys, so that made me like them even more. That's definitely the home team."

What is your favorite meal/dish?
"Steak and potatoes. That was our Sunday night meal growing up. I usually go with a filet – it's a classic. Whenever we have steak nights here, it reminds me of home."

Name something you do every single day, no matter what else happens?
"Watch football. Always. No matter how busy I am, I find a way to watch it – whether it's a game, highlights, or interviews. It's the game I love."

Why do you wear your jersey number?
"It was kind of random when I got here. I wore No. 1 in high school because my brother wore it – I always wanted to be like him. Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray also wore it. But when I got here, I saw No. 8 was open. I learned a lot from Dillon Gabriel and think he's a great role model, so there was no hesitation to take it."

What do you like most about head coach Brent Venables?
"His fire. My high school coach was the same way – a lot of energy. He loves you, but when you're on the field, it's work. His energy lifts the whole team. Even if I'm feeling sluggish, he'll wake me up right away."

What do you like most about offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle?
"Coach Arbuckle is really smart, and the whole staff is. He runs a fast offense, which is what I'm used to. I've built a strong relationship with him and trust him a lot. That trust was a big factor for me. He attacks defenses and has a purpose behind everything we run."

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K Tate Sandell

LB Cole Sullivan

QB Bowe Bentley

Players Mentioned

Bowe Bentley

Tate Sandell

Cole Sullivan

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics