An unexpected transfer wide receiver is making noise during OU’s fall camp

A pleasant surprise.
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There's been a pleasant surprise come out of the Oklahoma Sooners' fall camp at the position OU needs the most unexpected talent to rise.

Transfer wide receiver Keontez Lewis has been grabbing a lot of attention during the Sooners' first week of fall camp, especially during the recent one-on-one portion of a practice that local media was able to attend. There are videos all over social media of Lewis pulling in passes while blanketed and making diving grabs to make new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle lose his mind.

Southern Illinois transfer Keontez Lewis is impressing for Sooners

Lewis was part of a group of Transfer Portal wide receivers that didn't exactly get Sooner Nation pumped. OU missed out on all the big names in the portal this offseason while also losing six receivers to the portal. And it was the position the Sooners seemed to need the most help at after injuries decimated the group last season and the passing game was horrendous. But Brent Venables and his scouting department might be showing their vaule after finding some gems, including Lewis.

OU is Lewis' third shot at shining at the Power Four level. He started his career at UCLA, but was there only one year before spending the next two seasons at Wisconsin. But after finally redshirting in 2023 at Wisconsin, Lewis went to Southern Illinois last year.

Lewis led Southern Illinois with 49 receptions, 813 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season at the Southern Illinois. His speed and big-play ability, which the Sooners are desperate for after last season, ultimately caught OU's attention. His length at 6-foot-2 and ability to pull in high balls also stood out on film, which is an ability he's already displayed during fall camp.

We haven't seen yet how Lewis will perform against high-level competition and won't until Week 2, when the Sooners host Michigan in primetime, but right now while going against a stout SEC defense everyday, Lewis is showing he not only belongs, but that he can stand out among the elite.

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