The Oklahoma Sooners have watched a number of players leave the team via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] in December. Most have come from an offense that was in shambles in 2024 due to injury and inexperience.
One of the players who battled injuries in 2024 was wide receiver [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag]. Burks announced his return to the Oklahoma Sooners on social media on Saturday evening.
Burks’ return provides the Sooners with a little continuity on offense. He was second on the team in receptions despite only playing in five games. He finished the season with 31 receptions for 245 yards and three touchdowns. That after a productive year at Purdue that made him one of the more highly sought-after wide receivers in last year’s transfer portal class.
Oklahoma is retooling the wide receiver room after [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag], [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], and [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] departed via the portal. They were anticipated to lead the way in 2025, and Burks was a candidate to leave for the NFL. But Burks’ return helps provide the wide receiver room with starting experience as Brent Venables, Ben Arbuckle, and Emmett Jones scour the wide receiver market.
“Easy decision, man,” Burks said after practice on Monday via The Oklahoman. “Just want to come back. … Got great characters here, coach BV, I believe in his plan, what he has going on. I believe in coach Emmett Jones. … I wanted to leave the place better than I found it.”
But beyond what he provides off the field, the Sooners will be glad to get his explosiveness and route-running back on the field for whoever plays quarterback for the team in 2025. Burks is a big play threat every time he steps foot on the field. Oklahoma’s issues along the offensive line didn’t allow the Sooners offense to take advantage of his big-play ability. But with a developing offensive line room and, hopefully, a healthier wide receiver group in 2025, the Sooners can get everything out of Burks that he’s capable of.
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