Why Oklahoma players believe Robert Spears-Jennings will be ‘all over the field’ in 2024
Spears-Jennings, who is entering his third year under Brent Venables, had a solid year last year, is coming off a strong spring, and has earned the trust of his teammates.
With three starters returning in the Oklahoma secondary, seven new freshmen in the 2024 recruiting class, and two arrivals through the NCAA Transfer Portal, some may overlook Robert Spears-Jennings.
This would be a mistake.
“He’s definitely grown a lot,” senior safety Billy Bowman explained.
Spears-Jennings has evolved, both as a player and as a person. The junior safety from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, stands up to 6-foot-1 and weighs 219 pounds. Last season, he appeared in 12 games for the OU secondary, starting two and taking 240 snaps.
According to Pro Football Focus, Spears-Jennings had an overall grade of 66.7, including a run-defense grade of 75.0, a tackling grade of 77.8, and a coverage grade of 62.1.
With Bowman at safety and sophomore Peyton Bowen returning to the secondary — either as the other safety or as nickel safety/cheetah linebacker — Spears-Jennings may be able to push his way into a starting position this season.
“He was the guy who went into last season, his sophomore season, thinking like, ‘I might not play too much,'” Bowman told ESPN. “We’ve got Key Lawrence. We just secured a transfer in Reggie Pearson. They all played the same position, so I was thinking, ‘What can I do?’
“Halfway through the season, near the conclusion of the season, he got his opportunity, and I urged him, ‘You gotta go for it. This is your time. And that is just what he did.
Behind Lawrence and Pearson, Spears-Jennings played 25 snaps against Tulsa, 20 against Cincinnati, and 22 against Iowa State. He played only nine defensive snaps in the following three games, but was called up and played 50 against Oklahoma State, 33 against West Virginia, 22 against BYU, 28 against TCU, and 22 in the Alamo Bowl against Arizona.
He also took use of his few opportunities, physically punishing multiple ballcarriers. Spears-Jennings is big and strong, and he enjoys physical contact. When he’s on the field, he frequently causes collisions and havoc for the opposing offense while also generating energy among the Oklahoma fans.
With Lawrence transferring to Ole Miss and Pearson graduating, Spears-Jennings had another fantastic winter, gaining muscle and strength, followed by a strong spring.
“I feel way more comfortable,” Spears-Jennings admitted in the spring. “Just knowing it’s the same defense; the names are different from last year. I truly understand all of my homework. The third year in, I feel much more at ease since the boys have my trust and I have theirs. It’s simply easier.
According to all reports, Spears-Jennings has also had a terrific summer.
“A guy like RJ stepping up, he’s in his third year,” senior linebacker Danny Stutsman said during SEC Media Days last week. “So it’s a great year for him, good opportunity, and I’m excited to see what he can do.”
Spears-Jennings stated that the coaching staff has asked him to increase his leadership this season as he has grown older in the defensive backfield.
“I wasn’t expecting it to happen this fast,” Spears-Jennings remarked. “I’m delighted Billy returned. He still assists me today.”
Bowman’s decision to postpone the NFL Draft and stay for his senior year has boosted the entire team. Bowman even spent a significant chunk of spring practice coaching the group.
That’s why he’s uniquely suited to assess Spears-Jennings’ readiness to take on a larger role this year.
“Be prepared for it, seeing a lot of No. 3,” Bowman warned. “It’s his number. Robert Spears-Jennings will be all over the field this season for us.”
