Marvin Mims emerged in 2020 as one of Oklahoma’s most dangerous vertical threats. Even more impressive considering the fact that he had very little face-to-face interaction with coaches or time to gain camaraderie with Spencer Rattler as a true freshman due to COVID-19 protocols.
Despite a lack of offseason a year ago, Mims put on a show between the hash marks. He led the Sooners with 610 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 37 receptions (16.5 average) in 11 games. Mims became the first receiver in OU history to earn FWAA Freshman All-American status. That is a telling note considering the prolific wide receiver products that have donned Crimson and Cream.
The former four-star recruit was willing to fight for the football in traffic and possessed superb body control to contort his body in order to make the catch. Head coach Lincoln Riley discussed his impeccable ball skills with media on Wednesday via zoom.
” He [Marvin Mims] made the most competitive catches in the group. Really, it was him and then probably our two guys in the tight end room- Jeremiah Hall and Brayden Willis. Those three guys had the most competitive catches and made the most competitive plays consistently of anybody in the group. That was honestly the biggest factor for him. He made the ones he was supposed to make and for the most part, made several that were competitive balls. That’s honestly a lot of times what separates elite players and he was able to pick it up mentally and kept producing. We honestly probably should have played him a little more than we did.”
Mims stepped into his role on the outside and exceeded expectations with his catch-radius. He helped move the chains and produced critical catches that built up trust with Rattler. The two quickly became a lethal combination for defenses.
“Couple of those guys that you just click with better than others and Marvin [Mims] was one of those that stood out to me when we started fall camp last year. Great player, does his job on all occasions, can do it all- fast guy and comes to do his job. Gives it his all.” – Spencer Rattler told local media
Many of Mims predecessors have made legendary catches that have been immortalized by the top collegiate program, but No. 17 left his own mark in 2020. But one thing is certain, Mims is not satisfied with being comfortable. The Texas native strives to grow in every area of his game, because in one-one-on-one matchups with cornerbacks, predictability gets you beat. Evolution is essential to success and Mims talked about his goal with the press.
“Yeah, I had a great year last year but I want to keep building on it. Anything lower than that in my eyes would be- if I did the same stuff I did last year- then there is no growth. So, I want to keep growing as a player and as a leader on this team.”
On top of his chemistry with Rattler, Mims thrives in Riley’s spread attack. He created separation from CBs to make himself available and became Rattler’s favorite target off play-action. Mims attributed his success to Riley’s system.
“Really it is just the way the offense is conducted with Coach Riley. Spencer would put the ball in areas he expected me to be and with the route and the way that we have to run it, the combinations, I’d be there. It is just going out there and doing the things we were taught to do.”
Coming off his stellar 2020 campaign, the expectations are greater for Oklahoma’s star receiver in 2021. With Mims’ vertical speed, fluid route-running, elusiveness after the catch, and ability to make acrobatic catches, he is on track to stardom.
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