Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Eli Bowen meets the press on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
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00:00 >> Your brother and everything, I'm sure you've got a lot of questions, but
00:03 has he kind of been a leader for you, especially during your recruitment process?
00:08 Or did he just stay out of it and not give you like-
00:10 >> My recruitment process?
00:11 >> Yeah, was he like, come to OU, or was he like-
00:13 >> Nah, I mean, obviously he'd like for
00:17 me to come to OU, but he was never in my ear, like come to OU, all that.
00:20 Cuz he respects me as a person, so he was gonna let me do my own thing,
00:24 let me visit other places, new places.
00:27 So it was a fun experience, don't get me wrong, but.
00:31 >> While you were getting recruited,
00:32 what were some of the things on your list that you were looking for in a school?
00:37 >> Really my biggest thing was how the coaches act, watching them interact with
00:41 people, how they interact with me, how they interact with each other.
00:44 Cuz I just wanted an environment like Guyra has, everyone's close.
00:48 You see a coach in the hallway or something, they're gonna say what's up,
00:50 talk to you a little bit.
00:52 So I just wanted a close family relationship environment.
00:54 >> You mentioned Guyra, I was gonna ask you about that.
00:57 >> [LAUGH] >> The simple fact that there's such
00:59 a high level program in the state of Texas, and the way they compete.
01:03 How did that prepare you for being here?
01:05 >> I thought he definitely prepared you.
01:07 Coach Keys, I thought, in my opinion, he's one of the best strength coaches and
01:11 conditioning coaches in the nation for high school.
01:13 So I mean, I thought he definitely got us right.
01:15 He's already doing some of the stuff OU does workout wise.
01:18 So I mean, I thought he definitely mentally prepared you.
01:22 >> What was January like for you guys as freshmen,
01:25 to get the weight and what was it like?
01:28 >> I mean, they eased you in for weight rise, but conditioning wise,
01:33 it was a rough wake up cuz you just came off a two week break.
01:38 So it was a rough turnaround, but we got adjusted fast and got used to it.
01:44 >> When was that started?
01:46 >> Like second, third week of January, I think.
01:52 >> That's all together then, the weight lifting and the running?
01:55 >> Yeah, we'll run in the morning and lift in the afternoon.
01:59 >> When did the coaching stations start?
02:02 >> Ooh, I think three weeks ago or two.
02:09 >> Three?
02:10 >> Three weeks ago, I think.
02:10 >> You wouldn't have been ready for that if it had not been January start.
02:13 >> Yeah, yeah, nah.
02:15 If you didn't work out before the coaching stations,
02:18 you weren't making it through the coaching stations.
02:20 >> [LAUGH] >> So what was so tough about it?
02:23 >> It's really just the pace and effort you have to put in.
02:26 And just when you're that tired, focus on the details.
02:30 It was really mentally draining and physically.
02:33 >> Yeah, one of the observations I made, I think with the Bogan Eskols,
02:36 the coaches have been doing this a long time.
02:39 This is your first time to do it.
02:40 They know your movements better than you do.
02:42 So you feel good?
02:45 >> I mean- >> They think you're tired and
02:46 they say, no, you're not, get back on the line.
02:48 >> Yeah, they definitely know limits, but
02:50 everyone's still a little bit different.
02:52 They'll push you to an extent, but
02:54 if they physically see you can't go no more than you-
02:57 >> Yeah, that's why,
02:58 because they know your limits when you've reached them.
03:02 >> Yeah, they can tell.
03:03 They can see the difference when you've reached it.
03:05 >> So thanks, recruiting of you,
03:08 you said he kinda let you chill and be your own man.
03:12 >> Right.
03:14 >> I'm sure he educated you about you.
03:16 >> Yeah. >> He wanted you to have all the
03:18 information, that kind of thing?
03:20 >> Yeah, I mean, if I ever had any questions, I'd ask him.
03:23 But really, I was along with him when they told him everything.
03:27 So I already have the insight on everything I need to know, really.
03:30 >> You didn't really have any big knowledge questions?
03:32 >> Yeah, it was all answered already from the get-go.
03:36 >> So when you guys were maybe driving down the highway or
03:38 something, just chilling, back at home,
03:41 he wouldn't peck at you a little bit, so maybe he didn't come to you?
03:45 >> No, not even, yeah.
03:46 I mean, it was- >> That's a cool big brother.
03:48 >> It was a great big brother, I'm like, he's great.
03:50 >> Is he one of the people that motivates you?
03:52 >> Yeah, most definitely.
03:53 >> You think about how great you wanna be or what drives you,
03:57 what's your why or whatever?
03:59 >> Yeah, he's definitely top on that list cuz watching him have success
04:04 everywhere he goes or anything he does, it really motivates me to be better and
04:08 be the better person and catch him and surpass him in a way.
04:11 >> What about your fans?
04:13 Where do they fit in?
04:14 >> I mean, they're my emotional support.
04:17 My dad pushes me and he tries to make me the better person and
04:22 make me the man he wants, a great man.
04:25 My mom, she's just blessed that we're able to do this and we're in this opportunity.
04:32 So I mean, they're my branch, they're my support foundation.
04:36 >> Anybody else?
04:37 Obviously, you have a couple of them on?
04:41 >> I mean, obviously seeing everyone around me here,
04:46 seeing them do good always makes me be better, but yeah.
04:51 >> Getting here, learning first hand, working with him.
04:56 You guys don't work with the head coach necessarily every day, but
05:01 just seeing him operate, those preventables,
05:04 the relationship that you started with him, has that continued as a player?
05:09 >> Yeah, it definitely has.
05:10 If I see him in the facility, he'll stop by, see what's up, and
05:13 have a little conversation with me.
05:16 So I mean, it's been great.
05:17 I don't know if every head coach is like that, but I wouldn't think they were.
05:22 So I mean, it's an amazing experience.
05:24 >> Have you picked a position yet?
05:26 Definitely safety or?
05:28 >> I have not picked a position yet.
05:29 It's just wherever they put me, honestly.
05:31 >> That'll start to be decided in the spring football tournament next week.
05:35 >> Yeah, they said the best 11 are gonna play, so
05:36 I just wanna be part of that best 11.
05:38 - What's up?
05:39 - What's up?
05:40 - Hey, what's going on?
05:41 I'm Jesse.
05:41 - Eli.