Oklahoma State’s interim defensive coordinator Clint Bowen got more than he bargained for in recent days: the chance to watch his freshman son, Banks Bowen, get meaningful snaps in the real college game. With starting quarterback Zane Flores sidelined due to injury, Banks saw his first action in OSU’s game against Arizona — a moment that caught both father and son off guard in the best way.
Bowen had not been expected to see the field this season. As a freshman, he sat deep on the depth chart behind Flores and Hauss Hejny, and he joined the program relatively late in the offseason after transferring in from Tulsa. But in the unpredictable nature of football, that next‑man‑up mentality came calling and Banks has to answer it.
The Unlikely Rise Up The Depth Chart of Banks Bowen
From the start, Banks’ path to the field was anything but straightforward. His commitment to Tulsa in January seemed to set his course elsewhere. But he later transferred to Oklahoma State, making the move sometime after spring practices were already underway. Adding to the challenge: as a newcomer, he was buried on the depth chart behind two more experienced quarterbacks.
Few anticipated he would see the field this year, especially not this quickly. But with adversity mounting and injuries reshaping the roster, the Cowboys turned to their freshman for depth.
This turn of events led to an emotional moment for Clint Bowen — seeing his son don the OSU uniform and take snaps, representing both family and program in a shared moment few coaches ever experience.
“Sink, Swim, Survive” — Bowen’s Reaction to the Debut
After the game, Bowen reflected on the surreal moment with warmth and humor:
"“I knew he was headed out there,” Clint said with a smile. “Sink, swim, survive. He’ll be all right. He’s excited about it and he’s prepared for it. It was interesting to see him go out there. I gotta be honest, there was a little Dad Time right there, looking out there. I was thinking, ‘Is that real?’ It is, but he’s got to do his part for the team.”"OSU DC Clint Bowen
That quote captures the mix of pride, trepidation, and coaching mindset all wrapped into one moment. The Bowen family will surely cherish that snapshot, a lifetime memory, but as Clint knows all too well, the moment itself won’t last. If Banks is handed the reins, those emotional reflections will have to yield to game-day focus, prep, and execution.
What’s Next: A Freshman’s Reality Check
Now that Banks has crossed the threshold of real game action, eyes naturally shift to what comes next. Oklahoma State is reportedly mulling over whether to start him or go with Sam Jackson, who has played in multiple roles at OSU — both wide receiver and quarterback. With Flores likely out for the matchup vs. Houston, that decision looms large.
If Banks is tapped as the starter, the romance of the moment will fade quickly. He’ll have to treat it like any other game week: absorb the playbook, manage the huddle, read coverages, and keep his composure under pressure. The Cowboys are in danger of drifting in the standings, and they need a consistent performance more than a feel‑good storyline.
For Clint Bowen, coaching his son at the P4 college level is a dream few ever live. But as the windows for emotion inherit the weight of performance, the Bowen family, and the Cowboys program, will be watching closely.