Oklahoma football: 2023 Wide receiver deep dive – Who will step up and be the WR1?

Question: Who is Team 129’s WR1?

The biggest question facing the Oklahoma football program entering the 2023 Summer revolves around the wide receiver position. Who is the go-to guy? This same question was present entering Spring practice’s schedule, and unfortunately, it remains unanswered. The Sooners’ offense solidified several of its starting positions along the offensive line, offensive backfield, and tight end position. The receiver room remains in limbo.

The two leading receivers from the 2022 season have moved on to the NFL. Receiver Marvin Mims and tight end Brayden Willis left Norman in April for the NFL Draft, and they took 48 percent of the 2022 receiving yards with them. In fact, of the 27 total receiving touchdowns in 2022, 13 were hauled in by either Mims or Willis. Four others were hauled in by now Missouri Tiger Theo Wease. The majority of the Sooners receiving production from 2022 is gone.

So who will step up and be the new WR1? Here is the 2023 wide receiver’s deep dive into the Sooners’ receiving corps.

Jalil Farooq – Junior

Jalil Farooq is entering his third season as a Sooner and his most important season yet. It’s time for him to take over the airwaves in Norman, a task he’s primed to accomplish. In 2022, Farooq finished with 37 receptions for 466 yards and 5 touchdowns. He lifted the Sooners’ offense in crucial moments and produced several highlight plays. He also returned 13 kickoff attempts for 281 yards, a job I doubt he will retain in 2023.

Farooq has a unique combination of size and speed that sets him up to be one of the Big 12’s leading wide receivers. At 6′ 1” – 207 pounds, Farooq is considered a bigger receiver. He runs fluid routes and has proven hands. There is a trust that Farooq hasn’t developed with quarterback Dillon Gabriel yet, that I feel has kept him from claiming the top receiver role. Gabriel developed this ‘go-to’ trust with Mims and fellow receiver Drake Stoops. He is leaning toward establishing it with Farooq now. Farooq will become an every-down receiver for the Sooners in 2023. He will be a potential all-conference receiver in 2023 as well. Farooq is primed, proven, and ready. All he lacks is the final touches and connection with Gabriel.

D.J. Graham II – Senior

D.J. Graham is a happy man. He is delighted to play the position he feels he was born to play. Following a career at defensive back for the Sooners, Graham switched to the offense during the 2022 season and landed on the Sooner scout team. A true sign of his humility and work ethic emerged following his shift to the offensive side of the ball. Graham was back home at receiver, and he couldn’t be happier.

All reports out of Norman this Spring indicated that Graham arguably had the best set of hands on the team. This shocks no one because we have seen his hands on full display during his career as a Sooner defensive back. Graham’s interception against Nebraska in 2021 was/is arguably the most incredible interception in college football history. I challenge you to find me a more athletic catch by a defensive back. Graham’s combination of sure hands, speed, and work ethic will land him a starting receiver position this fall and an eventual all-conference selection this Winter. I have high hopes for D.J. Graham… the wide receiver. Expect to see Graham hauling in several Sooner scores on his way to leading the receiver corps in yards, catches, and scores in 2023.

Drake Stoops – Senior

I didn’t necessarily think Drake Stoops would leave for the NFL this Winter… but I wasn’t sure. When I found out he was coming back, I was thrilled. This was the one player; out of all the 2022 early departures I wanted to come back. Yes, he’s the hometown/homegrown Sooner, but more importantly, he’s one of the team’s leaders. Not just offensive leaders but overall team leaders. Drake is the epitome of what a hard-working, tough-nosed football player looks like. If I was going to be in a back alley brawl, I’d want Drake Stoops and Billy Bowman by my side. Drake is a gritty, reliable wide receiver, for sure. Still, more importantly, he has something that isn’t simply replaced through athleticism and production.

In 2022, Drake caught 39 passes for 393 yards and 3 touchdowns. More important than the stats was the timing. Drake was a go-to receiver in clutch moments for Dillon Gabriel. That’s the trust I was talking about earlier. Drake is a mainstay in Jeff Lebby’s offense because of his clutch gene. He’s going to be where he is supposed to be, and he’s going to make a play if presented with the chance. Drake will most likely increase his statistical numbers in 2023, a trend he’s established so far in his career. I would not be shocked to see Drake claim the WR1 crown. At the very least, he will lead the room and demand the best out of all the 2023 Sooner receivers. This football team is a contender because of Drake Stoops. Whether he’s the one making the plays or not.

LV Bunkley-Shelton – RS Junior

LV Bunkley-Shelton came to OU in 2021 after a two-year stay at Arizona State. He was productive at ASU catching a total of 44 passes for 518 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, his first year in Norman saw him only bring in 2 catches for 24 yards and no scores.

LV’s had a good Spring and is expected to be a productive earner on the 2023 offense. The 5’11” – 196-pound Junior should compete for playing time as a rotational receiver. He’s got a ways to go before he’s a legit WR1 candidate for the Sooners due to the sheer numbers in the receivers’ room. He will step up and be a rotational mainstay in 2023.

Jayden Gibson – Sophomore

This one should be the one… plain and simple. Standing 6’5” – 189 pounds,

Jayden Gibson

is a physical specimen. He has a great combination of size and speed that literally puts him head and shoulders above the other receivers. He is a master of the jump ball and is very physical. He hasn’t put a consistent product on the field for whatever reason.

All freshmen face maturation issues that they work their way through or don’t. Gibson is still working on maturing into a Power-5 receiver. He’s got the physical part down. Athletically, he elite. There is a gray area surrounding his production. In 2022 he caught 1 ball for 12 yards. He didn’t dominate the Spring game, which is okay… or is it?

If Jayden Gibson could unleash himself on this offense, he’d be an all-conference Biletnikoff candidate. But he hasn’t yet. A massive influx of talent is headed to Norman in 2023 from both the portal and the high school ranks. Jayden needs to have a great Fall camp. I know he can do it; he just needs to figure that out. I hope this young man shows his actual skill and lives up to his potential; I have faith he can. He deserves patience from Sooner Nation; I’m just not sure he will get the same patience from the coaching staff. I’m really pulling for this young man.

Nic Anderson – RS Freshman

Next to Gibson on the height scale is Nic Anderson (4-above) at 6’4”. He’s a big-build receiver with good hands and clean route-running capability. He saw time in three games last year as part of his redshirt campaign. Reports out of Norman indicate he had a phenomenal Spring. He’s an eager young player with a high motor and consistent intensity. He didn’t play much in 2022 because of his redshirt, not because of any lack of skill. I look for Anderson to compete for consistent rotational playing time in the 2023 offense. He is one of those players who will force his way onto the field. If his production can match his athleticism and size, look for Anderson to be a solid starter come the mid-point of the 2023 season.

Gavin Freeman – Sophomore

Gavin Freeman had the first Sooner highlight of the 2022 season on a 46-yard reverse run for a touchdown against UTEP (the first touch of his career). He’s fast. Freeman brings a high level of twitch and speed to the Sooners’ offense. He’s also versatile. He’s a good receiver, rusher, and a ferocious blocker. He ended 2022 with 3 receptions for 46 yards and 7 rushes for 73 yards and a score. He will continue to be a versatile piece of the Sooners’ offense. I don’t see him being a deep threat or a WR1 “go-to” type receiver for the Sooners, but he doesn’t have to be; that’s not his role. He’s a sneaky weapon for the Sooner’s offense, not because of his size but because of his speed and deceit.

Personally, I think Freeman is a big part of this Sooners offense. I see him scoring a few more times in 2022. Anytime Freeman scores for the Sooners, it will be an unexpected defeat for the defense. Defenses won’t gameplan him to the extent they will the other receivers. That makes him OU’s secret weapon, which after 2023, won’t be such a secret anymore.

J.J. Hester – R Junior

J.J Hester

has been in Norman for one year after transferring from Missouri in 2021. He played in the Sooner’s first three games of 2022 before getting injured. While in Missouri, he came in as the Tigers’ highest-rated recruit in the 2020 class. He ended his career in Missouri with 12 receptions for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Hester has big play capability. He’s shown the ability to create separation and serve as a deep ball threat, something the Sooners’ offense had in Marvin Mims last season. Hopefully, he’s fully healed from his foot injury and ready to show out in 2023. At 6’4” – 202-pounds, he’s clearly got the build to be a big-time receiver.

I’d say Hester is the sneaky pick to show up in 2023. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has three huge games to start 2023 and earns a starting role for the Sooners before entering Big 12 play. Suppose he’s fully healthy, and all signs point to that being the case. In that case, I don’t think he will be anything short of a consistent contributor in the 2023 Sooner offense. My excitement level for Hester is among one of the highest on the entire team.

Major Melson – R Junior

Major Melson

is a walk-on receiver for the Sooners who continues to compete for playing time. It’s a hard road for a walk-on, especially in a room as deep as the Sooners’ receiving room is. I’ve heard this kid’s work ethic is high and he will continue to fight for time.

Dallas Dudley – R Freshman

Dallas Dudley

is a young receiver for the Sooners who saw his action in 2022 coming against Texas. He redshirted in 2022 and finds himself competing for playing time in 2023. He’s a 6’2” – 191-pound speedster who will continue to work for time throughout the 2023 season.

Newcomers

Andrel Anthony – Junior – transfer from Michigan

Andrel Anthony comes to Norman after a two-year career at the University of Michigan. While in Ann Arbor, Anthony caught 19 passes for 328 yards and 3 touchdowns. He’s a jump-ball/deep-play receiver. He brings a high level of athleticism to the Sooners’ offense, and I look for him to see significant playing time in 2023.

There is a massive difference between the Jeff Lebby Oklahoma offense and the Matt Weiss (former Michigan OC) offense. Michigan is one of the country’s only genuine ‘pro-style’ offenses. Oklahoma’s is anything but that. It’s taken some time for Anthony to pick up on the pace and dynamic facets of the Jeff Lebby offense, which is to be expected. Once Anthony finds comfort in the Sooner offense, I expect him to be a consistent source of production for the offense. He had a good Spring and showed flashes in the Spring game. Andrel Anthony will be a good receiver for the Sooners this year, but will he be WR1?

Brenen Thompson – Sophomore – transfer from Texas

Brenen Thompson brings one massive attribute to the Sooners’ offense… speed. This man can fly. He ran a 10.38 100-meter in high school and a 21.27 200-meter. Those are elite speed numbers. His speed translates to the football field as well.

Once Thompson spends a Summer adding some mass with Coach Schmidt, he will be ready to earn consistent time as a contributor on the field for the Sooners. I’d also look for him to contribute to the return game. It will be hard to keep Thompson off the field just for his speed alone. He could be a weapon in a short passing game for the Sooners, especially if Lebby wants to run tempo scenarios. Quick outlet passes to Thompson can turn into big plays in a hurry.

Cody Johnson – Freshman – transfer from North Texas

Cody Johnson transfers in as a walk-on receiver. He will work this year as a scout team receiver most likely, and look to make a name for himself in practice each week. He’s an enthusiastic young man, and showed some good athleticism in the Spring. His work ethic and consistency could lend him a permanent spot on the Sooners roster in the years to come.

Keyon Brown – Freshman – James Rikards HS – 4-star receiver

Keyon Brown is one of two incoming freshmen receivers who brings an elite level of speed with them to Norman. Brown has spent the Spring finishing his high school track career in Florida. He’s a burner. The 4-star receiver caught 26 passes for 588 yards and 6 touchdowns last year. Brown also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Brown is a big kid, 6’3” – 188 pounds. He will add some weight this Summer in Norman and look to make an impact in the Fall camp practices.

I’d like to call the two incoming receivers Thunder and Lightning. Keyon Brown is the Thunder. He’s a bigger-bodied receiver that can run well and thump people in the blocking game. He’s known for going up and making contested catches in jump ball scenarios. So, if Keyon Brown is Thunder, this next kid is the Lightning.

Jaquaize Pettaway – Freshman – Langham Creek HS – 4-star receiver

Burner. Speed demon. Jet. Flash. Insert any other adjective you can think of that symbolizes speed. Not just fast. I’m talking about Tyreek Hill-like speed.

There are four freshmen I see earning significant playing time in 2023. Number one is safety, Peyton Bowen. Two is P.J. Adebawore, and Three is Jaquaize Pettaway. Four is Cayden Green.

I think Pettaway will start at wide receiver. Day one. He will catch a touchdown against Arkansas State in his first game action as a Sooner. He will be a freshman all-American. Is that enough bold statement predictions for you?

Pettaway has the potential to be that good. Anytime anyone who knows anything about football starts putting out Tyreek Hill comparisons, they’re talking about a player who can change the momentum of a game on a single play, and Pettaway is that guy. He ran a 10.26 100-meter and a 20.51 200-meter this year… Speed demon. He can take off if Dillon Gabriel can get Pettaway the ball in space. What’s even better to hear is he’s a solid-framed kid. He’s physically built and capable of making catches in traffic. I thought Pettaway should’ve been a 5-star this last recruiting cycle.

Pettaway ended his high school career catching 105 passes for 1798 yards and 16 touchdowns… in only two seasons. This kid is a football player that runs like an Olympian. Jaquaize Pettaway is going to be a nationally recognized receiver following the 2023 football season.

Wide Receiver Rotation

Let’s see where these guys fit in the rotation. Let’s setup a three receiver set to place our receivers into. 2 wideouts and 1 slot receiver.

1st Team – Jalil Farooq, D.J. Graham, Jaquaize Pettaway

2nd Team – Andrel Anthony, Nic Anderson, Drake Stoops

Rotation – LV Bunkley-Shelton, Gavin Freeman, J.J. Hester, Brenen Thompson.

If the Sooner receiving corps can have these 10 receivers be contributors, they’re doing great. Suppose all the receivers listed above can be trusted to see consistent playing time. In that case, the offense will be one of the best in the conference. The running backs are solid. O-Line will be ready. Stogner is a consistent source of redzone production. Dillon Gabriel is going to be a little better than last year. So, the offense hinges on these receivers.

Final Prediction… WR1 will be…?

Davon (D.J.) Graham II