NORMAN — Mercer quarterback Whitt Newbauer is expected to transfer to OU, according to a report Tuesday from On3’s Pete Nakos.
The Sooners have been searching for a backup quarterback to replace Cole Gonzales, who transferred to OU in the winter from Western Carolina but re-entered the portal in the spring to sign with Pittsburgh.
Newbauer started nine games and threw for 1,398 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions as a true freshman for Mercer in 2024.
Newbauer is the Sooners’ sixth spring portal addition, joining wide receiver Jer’Michael Carter (McNeese State), defensive tackle Siolaa Ricky Lolohea (Utah State), offensive lineman Jake Maikkula (Stanford), Jaydn Ott (Cal) and kicker Tate Sandell (UTSA).
Newbauer joins starting quarterback John Mateer, Michael Hawkins Jr. and true freshman Jett Niu at the position.
“You look at that group at quarterback or wide receiver or tight end, the additions on the offensive line, you see transformation,” head coach Brent Venables said following the Crimson Combine. “They’re completely different groups in what they look like from just a few short months ago. So that’s what the focus was, whether it’s … An enhanced version of Michael Hawkins and the improvement he’s made. He made more improvement in the last several weeks than he did all of last year, in my opinion.
“You would expect him to take another big leap just being a true freshman last year and all that he was exposed to and picking up a new offense. I thought he did a great job, I thought the staff did a great job. (Senior offensive analyst John Kuceyeski) and (offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle) did a wonderful job developing the confidence in him. … And then Jett Niu, the same thing. He had a really nice spring as well, executing the offense.”
Source link : https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2025/05/06/ou-football-mercer-qb-transfer-whitt-newbauer-ncaa-transfer-portal-oklahoma-sooners/83476555007/
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Publish date : 2025-05-06 18:05:00
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