Oklahoma’s wide receiver group looked solid before the spring, but [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] and [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag] were the only wide receivers that played a significant number of snaps in 2021. Coming out of the spring game, the Sooners took advantage of an opportunity to add a pair of wide receivers out of the transfer portal.
Oklahoma brought in Missouri wide receiver J.J. Hester, a Tulsa native. They also added Arizona State wide out LV Bunkley-Shelton. Given their experience, both have added to the competition at wide receiver, and both have an opportunity to make an impact in their first year with the Sooners.
In 2021 as the third wide receiver for the Sun Devils, Bunkley-Shelton caught 33 passes for 418 yards and two touchdowns. 19 of his receptions went for first down. That’s one fewer reception than Mims. Bunkley-Shelton looks primed to play a significant role in the slot for the Oklahoma Sooners, playing 92% of his snaps on the inside for Arizona State last season.
Hester had 12 receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 18.8 yards per reception. 10 of his 12 receptions went for first downs, and he averaged 6.6 yards after the catch per reception, according to Pro Football Focus. Among Sooners with more than 10 receptions in 2021, only Mims and Eric Gray averaged more yards after the catch per reception than Hester.
When asked about the two postspring additions, wide receiver Theo Wease shared some thoughts with OUInsider.com’s Joey Helmer at OU media day on Tuesday.
“Oh, yeah, so LV is probably one of the smoothest route runners that I’ve seen ever,” Wease said. “And J.J. is a flier. So, both of them, they’re both gonna contribute to this team in a big way.”
Asked to elaborate on Bunkley-Shelton’s route running, Wease said. “It’s just like it just looks so natural. It doesn’t look forced. He’s clean in and out of his brakes. Y’all will see this season.”
“Yeah, the thing about LV — I continue to talk about it — but from an experience standpoint, he’s lived it,” Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby shared. “The guy has played ball, and he’s caught the football in games, in big games, and he’s had production. So, he’s come in, he’s worked his butt off, he’s done a great job. He’s going to create great depth for us and have the ability to get on the field and go do the same thing right here come September 3. And then J.J., being an in-state kid, being able to come back home, this is a really talented kid, really raw kid that has got great upside. So, I’m looking forward to him and getting on the field with him as well.”
Nothing is set in stone for the Oklahoma Sooners at wide receiver beyond Mims and probably Wease. There are many snaps up for grabs, but in an offense that wants to run the most plays per game in the country, there will be opportunities for non-starters to get significant playing time.
OU’s wide receivers have had to hear about what they’ve lost to the transfer portal and the NFL this offseason, but very little has been discussed about what they’ve added. With Bunkley-Shelton, they’ve added a savvy and experienced route runner who could immediately step in and play in the slot. And in Hester, the Sooners got a big-bodied wide receiver (6-foot-3) that can get down the field and make plays after the catch.
Though nothing is sorted on the depth chart, the Sooners added two players they can feel good about giving snaps to if called upon. Depth and competition are never a bad thing. And Oklahoma’s two transfer additions have the opportunity to have and impact the field for the 2022 Oklahoma Sooners.
[mm-video type=video id=01g9jsazt98657nbkhjw playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g9jsazt98657nbkhjw/01g9jsazt98657nbkhjw-dba923a7b758a8d876c08760fcdcba9a.jpg]
[listicle id=68369]
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.