Oklahoma football: Sooners add elite 2023 wide receiver

Oklahoma football recruiting added its second 2023 commitment of the July 4 week, landing elite wide receiver Jaquaize Pettaway.

What’s even more heartening for Sooner fans about Pettaway’s commitment is that he chose OU over the Sooners biggest rivals, the Texas Longhorns.

Pettaway took official visits to both Oklahoma and Texas in June. Sooner star wide receiver Marvin Mims was his host when he visited Norman. OU and Texas weren’t the only schools after this blue-chip wide receiver, though. Among his other suiters were Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Notre Dame.

The Houston, Texas, native joins three-star wide-receiver prospect Keyon Brown as the second WR recruit in the Sooners 2023 class, which is now up to 11 commitments, with more expected before the month is over.

Pettaway is rated by 247Sports as the No. 8 wide receiver in the 2023 class and the 47th player overall.

Gabe Brooks of 247Sports offerred this scouting report on Pettaway:

"“Straight-line dynamic player, shows the ability to accelerate to top-end speed quickly. Shows the ability to make the first defender miss in space. Flashes some excellent run-after-catch ability with outstanding separation quickness.”"

According to Michael Gresser, who covers the Texas Longhorns for the FanNation website, which is affiliated with Sports Illustrated, “Steve Sarkisian made Pettaway a priority immediately after he was hired to be the head coach at Texas. Sarkisian knew that if he was to operate his offense at a level reminiscent of those he led at Alabama, he would need receivers like Pettaway.”

Texas had offered Pettaway way back in February 2021.

In addition to being an outstanding receiver, Pettaway has also returned kicks for his Langham Creek High School team and has scored on multiple returns.