Oklahoma football: Five-star 2022 WR decommits from OU

While the 2023 Oklahoma football recruiting class has been picking up steam, the Sooners’ 2022 class is now one fewer with the decommitment of five-star WR Luther Burden.

Burden, who resides in East St. Louis, announced on Tuesday that he was reopening his recruitment. The 6-foot, 2-inch, 195-pound wide-receiver prospect had been committed to Oklahoma since October 9, 2020.

It has been reported for several months that Burden was visiting other schools even after his Oklahoma commitment and that he might be considering reneging on his pledge to the Sooners.

Burden was one of two wide-receivers in the Sooners’ 2022 class, which currently ranks 12th in both the 247Sports class rankings and the Rivals team rankings, and the highest rated recruit in the class.

Three wide receivers are part of OU’s incoming 2021 class, including five-star recruit Mario Williams, and they currently have one wide receiver commitment in the 2023 class.

Georgia and Missouri appear to be the lead candidates at this point in time to land the highly touted wide receiver, although, he has not completely ruled out Oklahoma.

As a sophomore at East St. Louis High School Burden caught 45 passes for 855 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also was utilized as a punt returner.

Burden told 247Sports staff writer Yancy Porter in July that he wanted to be able to play as a freshman. The Sooners are expected to be deep at the wide receiver position in 2022, which could have factored into his decision to request a release from his Oklahoma commitment.

“I want to make an impact as a true freshman,” Burden said. “I’m also looking for a school that fits my style of play…one that likes to spread the ball around.”

Sounds like Burden didn’t think that was going to be the case at Oklahoma.