100 Days to Football Time in Oklahoma 2024: #64 Joshua Bates By: Ryan Lewis Posted on: June 27, 2024

Player Profile

Position: Offensive Lineman

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 311

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Seasons at OU: 1

Hometown: Durango, Colo.

Previous School: Durango HS

The Path to Norman

Joshua Bates came to Norman out of Durango, Colorado. Bates was an early commit in the 2023 class back in the summer of 2021. The lineman received his OU offer during an unofficial visit that summer. Although he held offers from Oregon, Michigan State, USC, and others at the time, that list grew longer over time as more heads turned to pay attention to the young man. By the end of the cycle, he was a top-five center per ESPN and 247. However, the Sooners already had him locked up.

TFB’s Charlie spoke with him after his commitment. Bates told him that ‘OU is everything I want in a program. The culture and tradition are exactly what I am looking for”. He continued by saying “I’m super excited to build my relationship with Coach B over the next two years and I cannot wait to get to work.’

Boom News! | ’23 OL Joshua Bates commits to Oklahoma!

Career so Far

Bates played in one game in 2023 on his way to a redshirt season.

Stats

Year: 2023

Games Played: 1

Stats via Soonersports.com

Highlights

This Season

The offensive line will be a largely new unit in 2024, with fresh transfers across the depth chart. While his redshirt season was quiet, Bates has been anything but this spring, showing off his physicality on more than one occasion. Bates returns to work at center, with transfer Branson Hickman from SMU expected to start. Hickman brings a lot of experience to the spot, but Bates will have his chance to contribute this year and be a starter later in his time in Norman.