Why Deion Burks' return to Oklahoma is so important

Oklahoma is losing a lot of wide receivers, but not its best one.

Deion Burks on Saturday posted a video on X to announce that he was returning to OU for his senior season instead of transferring or entering the NFL Draft. That means he's also expected to play against Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 27 and will be the Sooners' only available scholarship receiver who's not a freshman.

He later followed up that post with another, further assuring his commitment to the Sooners.

Burks on Monday evening after practice met with the media for the first time since announcing his return.

"Easy decision, man," Burks said. "Just kind of want to come back and leave a place better than when I left it. Easy decision, man. Got great characters here. Coach B.V. (Brent Venables), I believe in his plan, what he has going on. I believe in Coach Emmett Jones. It was not an easy decision, but, man, I just wanted to leave the place better than I found it."

The only change Burks announced he would be making for 2025 was the number on his jersey, switching from No. 6 to No 4, which is what he repped at Purdue, where he played before transferring to OU last year. Not only is No. 4 what Burks has always donned, but there's also some added pressure when wearing the crimson No. 6 because of what Baker Mayfield accomplished while wearing it.

"So I kind of wanted to go back to my roots," Burks said. "No. 6, I feel like this year it meant a lot to me. It came with a lot, so kind of wanted to leave the number behind, too, as well. Unfortuately, Nic (Anderson) left, as well -- dude I wish would have stayed -- but I used to wear four in the past, definitely wanted to go back to my roots, man, and just get that number."

No. 4 was available after Nic Anderson entered the transfer portal along with five other receivers. Of all the receivers that caught a pass this season, Burks is the only upperclassman returning.

"Deion’s pretty much the leader in the receiver room," freshman receiver Jacob Jordan said.

Burks' first season as a Sooner was a disappointment, so thankfully it wasn't his only. He transferred from Purdue, where he was the Boilermakers' top receiver, and in his OU debut it looked like he'd be the same for the Sooners.

In the season opener, Burks caught three touchdowns, but then didn't catch another the rest of the season. He played in only five games this season, though, because of injury. He suffered his first injury Week 4 against Tennessee, then after not being able to return until Week 11 against Missouri, Burks took a big hit in that game and suffered a concussion.

Even while playing only five games, Burks still led OU's receivers with 31 receptions and was second among that group with 245 receiving yards. His three TD catches, which all came in one game, also led the Sooners.

Those numbers are telling of OU's dissapointing season offensively, especially in the passing game, but also how valuable Burks is in making sure it doesn't happen again. OU hired a new offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, to hopefully give the Sooners a productive offense again. And there are also expectations his star quarterback from Washington State, John Mateer, will follow Arbuckle to Norman.

But this season proved that who's calling plays or who's throwing the football sometimes can't make enough of a difference. There must be talent around to distribute the ball to.

Regardless of who else the Sooners bring in, Burks will likely be the best talent out there for whoever is throwing the ball to him next year. Heck, right now, he's almost the only talent, at least with more than a year of experience.