Oklahoma State could have one of the best passing attacks in the country, led by one of the most experienced quarterbacks.
The preseason watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award was announced Wednesday, and OSU quarterback Alan Bowman made the list. He is one of 12 quarterbacks from the Big 12 on the list and will try to become the first Cowboy since Mason Rudolph to win the award and the first winner from the conference since Max Duggan in 2022.
Bowman’s inclusion is no surprise given his success in his first year in Stillwater. Bowman struggled to break away through the first three weeks of the 2023 season, locked in a quarterback competition with Garret Rangel and Gunnar Gundy. Despite the close race, OSU coach Mike Gundy named Bowman the full-time starter before the Cowboys’ first conference game at Iowa State.
READ MORE: Oklahoma State has a sure shot at Big 12 championship next season
Bowman finished his first year with the Cowboys with 3,460 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Although his turnover numbers were a bit high, his ability to consistently drive the OSU offense and put the team in a position to score was a key part of the Cowboys’ turnaround last season.
Bowman’s success is due in no small part to his wide receivers. Stars Brennan Presley and Rashod Owens led the Cowboys in receivers last season and are on the Biletnikoff watch list for 2024. Their impressive performances in the Texas Bowl against Texas A&M helped Bowman cap his season with a 402-yard performance, his best in an OSU uniform.
If Bowman can maintain his performance from last season, he could be in position to reach 4,000 yards, a mark seven of the last 10 winners have reached. Additionally, Bowman can move up OSU’s career passing leaderboard despite only playing two seasons in Stillwater. His time with the Cowboys won’t be as long as others, but his impact on Stillwater could be just as impactful.
READ MORE: Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes Oklahoma State will be ‘really good’ in 2024
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