Oklahoma football sophomore Gavin Freeman grew up in nearby Oklahoma City going to Sooner games and dreaming of someday playing for OU on that hallowed ground.
He got his long-awaited opportunity last season as walk-on to the OU program. And as he has been doing his entire football career, he was ready and able when his number was called. On his very first touch in an Oklahoma uniform, Freeman took a handoff on a reverse and raced down the sideline for a 46-yard touchdown in the season opener last season against the University of Texas-El Paso.
Later in the year, in a game hosting Kansas, the true freshman made a diving 41-yard catch that set up a touchdown.
Freeman ended the season just three catches for 46 yards and 71 yards rushing, but he is primed for a bigger season in year two.
Coming out of spring practice, head coach Brent Venables touted Freeman as the receiver with the best performance during spring drills.
“He’s one of the fastest guys on the team both here to there and changing direction,” Venables said about Freeman in the spring.
“Some guys always make the play. Some guys get open. Some guys make the tough play. They come in all shapes and sizes,” the OU head coach said, in reference to the fact that Freeman is only 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds.
Freeman has never let his size be a deterrent to his enormous self-confidence and determination. His attitude along with his ability are big reasons why Sooner fans are going to see a lot more of the young receiver in the 2023 season.
Freeman continues to be impressive in fall training camp. Last week, Venables awarded him for his hard work, perseverance and his performance with a scholarship.
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The Oklahoma coaches aren’t the only ones noticing what the Sooners have in the former walk-on receiver. His teammates have taken notice as well. They have started calling him “G-Freaky.”
“He’s always bringing the heat every day. There’s never a day he doesn’t,” fellow wide receiver Jalil Farooq told reporters during training camp recently.
Freeman is one of the reasons I believe the Oklahoma wide receivers have been underrated coming into the 2023 season and that the Sooner passing game is going to be more explosive and productive than many college football analysts have projected.