Oklahoma football: Which true freshman have a chance to make an impact?

Oklahoma football always has ultra-talented players littered on the roster, and the freshman are no exception. While there are others who could have made this list like RB Gavin Sawchuk, WR Nic Anderson, or OL Jake Taylor who are all big-time talents with bright futures. These are the five true freshmen I believe can have a big impact for the Sooners this year!

LB Jaren Kanak

Jaren Kanak filled in for the ejected Dashaun White on Saturday against Nebraska and in roughly one half of play racked up ten tackles. It was beyond clear that Kanak was ready for the moment, he looks the part of a college linebacker and played like a veteran. The Sooners are fortunate that Kanak was so insistent on coming to Norman. He and his family went out of their way to get special permission from Dabo, and more or less chose to walk on. It is paying off for Jaren, and Oklahoma. Kanak is strong, fast, and has excellent range and football IQ! He could become a starter before the season’s end. He is that kind of good.

EDGE R Mason Thomas

The Iowa State flip has done nothing but turn heads of the Oklahoma staff among others during camp. While he needs to put on some weight long-term, he is just so sudden and strong that despite being listed at only 222 pounds will find himself in the rotation this year. He played a few snaps against UTEP and came away with a sack already in his young career. Mason Thomas was a guy who was under the radar for much of the cycle despite dominating and helping his program win state in back-to-back seasons down in Florida.

WR Jayden Gibson

Gibson is one of those guys who just has every physical tool you could possibly want. First of all, he is 6-foot 5-inches and has done a good job getting up to right around 200 pounds, which he needed to do in order to have a chance to impact. The young wideout has the ability to catch the ball in traffic and make plays in space. He has the rare mixture of athleticism, speed, and quickness that you just don’t find every day in someone with the length and size that Gibson possesses. If you need a guy to climb the ladder and create a mismatch for a DB on a fade in the red zone, Gibson is your guy. If you need a lengthy guy who has some suddenness and speed in the slot, once again Gibson is your guy. If you want a guy who is somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades player, then yes Jayden Gibson is your guy. Oklahoma football was fortunate to get the flip late from the former Florida Gator commitment.

RB Jovantae Barnes

Jovantae just has it all, he is different. He has good vision, he’s strong he’s quick and he is a load. Hard to not draw comparisons to DeMarco Murray, who came to OU from the same city, at the same size, and plays a similar style. Oklahoma football got a good one in Jovantae Barnes. To me, he is the most talented back in the room, and it would not surprise me one bit if he carved out more than just a major role in this offense in 2022. He will get plenty of carries this year because this is not the kind of guy you shelf.

OC Jeff Lebby on the young man,

"“Having three guys at that position is critical with the way we want to run the football. Jovantae, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that he is crazy talented.”"

WR Gavin Freeman

Freeman is a crafty young guy, who reminds a lot of Drake Stoops, but is a bit more explosive with the ball in his hands. We all saw that great play he made in the opener, and the reality is more of those plays will come for Oklahoma and Gavin Freeman. Gavin has had loft comparisons on his way to Norman of Wes Welker. The former NFL WR, and Texas Tech Red Raider. The comparison, while a shade lofty makes a lot of sense as well. Both went to the same high school, but the comparisons do not stop there. The two play with relentless effort have the ability as a return specialist and have a knack for getting open and making plays in space. Oklahoma football got a steal this walk-on!