Amid the turnover that the Oklahoma Sooners have seen on both sides of the football, an atmosphere of anticipation has followed the Sooners around, waiting for insight into what veterans of the team will be doing. With 11 starters heading to the NFL, several on their way out via the transfer portal, there’s reason for excitement any time a player decides to stay.
On his weekly show, The Podcast on the Prarie, with fellow Sooners’ TE/H-Back Jeremiah Hall, Brayden Willis made it known he’s not leaving. Willis will be returning for the 2022 season for the Oklahoma Sooners.
Sooner Nation.. pic.twitter.com/YyfBjWHL7h
— Brayden Willis (@Bwillis_11) January 7, 2022
As it stands, Brayden Willis and Missouri transfer Daniel Parker Jr. will be the only tight ends on the roster with experience to start the 2022 season. The 2022 recruiting class will be adding Kaden Helms and Jason Llewelyn to the group, but it’ll be good not to have to rush the true freshman into action.
As part of the three-rotation at TE/H-Back with Jeremiah Hall and Austin Stogner, Willis put up the best season of his Sooners career, catching 15 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Beyond the box score, Willis was an asset in the run game. For much of the first half of the season, Willis was the highest graded tight end in the Power Five according to Pro Football Focus.
Though his usage in the passing game was limited due to the rotation, he flashed an ability to get open in the middle of the field and help the Sooners as a short to intermediate option in the passing game.
Though we’re a long way from the start of the 2021 college football season, Willis likely projects as the starter at tight end in new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s offense.
With Jadon Haselwood, Michael Woods, Mario Williams, Austin Stogner, and Jeremiah Hall heading out the door, Willis faces a great opportunity to make a name for himself in his final season with the Oklahoma Sooners.
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