Oklahoma Football: Receivers by Committee May Be Sooner Strength in 2017

In the past two seasons, quarterback Baker Mayfield has had one go-to receiver that he could always rely on when the chips were down and faced with critical third-down, long-yardage situations.

Two seasons ago, Sterling Shepard was the go-to guy. Last season it was Dede Westbrook. Who will it be in 2017? Don’t be surprised if the answer is everybody and anybody. Or if you are an opposing defense: Pick your poison, but be sure to pick carefully.

The Sooners may just go with the idea that there is strength in numbers – with good-hands personnel at wide receiver, in the slot, at tight end and in the backfield – so why not let the cream rise to the top and go with the best option at the time.

Thirteen different receivers caught passes in the 2017 Oklahoma spring game, and it won’t be a bit surprising to see a similar, multi-receiver distribution pattern next season.

There is returning talent in the Sooner receiving corps, several talented prospects among the freshman newcomers, and the addition of graduate transfer Jeff Badet, who was the top receiver at the University of Kentucky last season.

All of that adds up to multiple weapons for Mayfield and OU’s Air Raid offense and no single one player for defenses to key on in the passing game.

In addition to Badet, promising newcomers among the Sooner receivers are tight end Grant Calcaterra, one of five Californians on the current active roster, junior-college addition Marquise Brown who OU senior cornerback Jordan Thomas calls “as fast as fast gets,” and incoming freshman wide receivers Cedarian Lamb and Charleston Rambo. All are rated by Rivals as four-star prospects.

As for the returning receivers, junior Mark Andrews leads a group that includes Jeffery Mead, Nick Basquine, A.D. Miller, Mykel Jones and Dahu Green, all of whom should gain from the experience they got playing last season.

Andrews was second on the team with seven touchdown catches, third in receptions (31) and fourth in receiving yards (489).

The main takeaway from all of this is not to expect the Sooners to dial back the passing game in 2017 absent anyone of the caliber of Westbrook or Shepard on the receiving end. What you can expect, however, is more receiving targets with varied skills with which to stretch the field and opposing defenses and open up passing opportunities, not to mention adding fuel for the running game.