This year, Sam Houston State's Rhett Bomar is another face in the crowd.
The spotlight has been a little diffused. And that's the way everybody likes it.
Last year at Southland Conference Media Days, Bomar wasn't a face because he might have been too much of a face. The problem was he was more a disfigured face from the University of Oklahoma program than a new face Sam Houston State. To avoid distractions and to allow Bomar to become more known as a Sam Houston quarterback and have a track record for the Bearkats, coach Todd Whitten did not take the highest-profile player in the conference at the time to Media Days last year.
This year, Bomar was present in Houston, smiling, friendly, nicely blending into the crowd of other top players in the league. And he was talking from the perspective of an established senior quarterback at Sam Houston State.
OU is clearly behind him. His first season as starting quarterback as Sam Houston is behind him. An ACL injury is behind him and he's looking forward to the chance to make the Bearkats a solid Southland contender.
"I'm more confident in what I'm doing and what to expect from defenses," he said.
Bomar, one of the top-ranked high school quarterbacks in the country his senior year and Most Valuable Player in the Holiday Bowl his freshman season at OU, was dismissed from the Oklahoma football team two years ago when it was discovered he and teammate J.D. Quinn had worked at a private business for payment in excess of time actually worked. OU had to forfeit some games, coach Bob Stoops' reputation acquired some taint and the name Bomar became infamous to many Sooner fans.
Bomar transferred to Sam Houston, but the NCAA delayed a ruling on his eligibility long enough to make sure he didn't play for anyone the 2006 season. He watched the Bearkats from the sideline.
"It was tough that first year practicing but not playing," Bomar said. "It's tough watching a game without being able to play in it, but I learned a lot watching things. I feel more comfortable with what we're doing from sitting out and watching."
Last season, he ranked second in the SLC and eighth nationally in total offense (290.6 yards per game), passed for 2,209 yards and 10 touchdowns. He tore an ACL in the ninth game of the season against Nicholls State.
"It's good now," he said. "I worked hard to rehabilitate the knee and get back to full speed. It's OK and I'm ready to go now."
He, along with Central Arkansas' Nathan Brown and Texas State's Bradley George, will be among the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision quarterbacks this season who will be looked at carefully by pro scouts.
"There are a lot of good quarterbacks in this league, and most of them are back this year," he said. "That's one of the things that makes this league very competitive."
While Bomar had some outstanding moments in 2007, Sam Houston had some problems on defense, particularly in the secondary and creating turnovers, yielding 30 points or more in four games. In a 7-4 season, the Bearkats outscored opponents only a total of 293-263.
"At times, Rhett was phenomenal last year," said coach Todd Whitten. "Against North Dakota State (36 of 61 for 358 yards and four touchdowns), he played about as well as any quarterback I've ever had. I think this year, we'll be more explosive on offense and Rhett will have a better supporting cast."
"What I learned last year was this is a good conference with good players, some of the best on this level in the country," Bomar said. "I came from a competitive conference (Big 12) and this is just as competitive if not more from top to bottom. There's talent on every team. You learn quickly you have to come out and play hard every week. There are no gimmes."
UCA has defeated Sam Houston two years in a row at Huntsville. This year, he and the Bearkats come to Conway for the first time.
"We've had some good, exciting games with UCA, and I'm looking forward to another one," Bomar said. "Maybe coming up there will change things."
(Sports columnist David McCollum can be reached at 505-1235 or david.mccollum@thecabin.net)
