There are high expectations placed on Oklahoma’s receiving corps entering 2021. Theo Wease and Jadon Haselwood return in key roles in Spencer Rattler’s supporting cast.
OU receivers dropped nine passes in the end zone in 2020, and Lincoln Riley vocalized his disappointment in the unit’s production after the season. Gone are the days of household names CeeDee Lamb and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. New rising stars in Crimson and Cream now have opportunities. Players will have to step up.
Haselwood missed the majority of the 2020 season after suffering an ACL injury. His contested catch ability is elite, and he will make an impact in Oklahoma’s passing attack come fall. Haselwood’s return will elevate OU’s vertical attack.
Wease emerged last season despite the drops. He notched 37 receptions for 530 yards and four touchdowns. Wease made several splash plays working the middle of the field and turned short routes into big gains with his elusive yards-after-catch ability.
Rattler has been working with both former five-star recruits throughout the offseason to build camaraderie for the 2021 season.
“Theo and Jadon have been great this offseason. Jadon coming back from his ACL; he looks amazing. Theo is back, and he looks great as well. Those are two guys that can go make big plays for us. They got the speed. They got get-offs at the line. They do a lot of great things for our offense, and, you know, I have been specifically working with those guys a lot this offseason in seven-on-(seven) and stuff like that just to get our chemistry back with being away for a month or so after the season.”
With the load of talent in the room — Marvin Mims, Mario Williams and Drake Stoops are in the mix with Wease and Haselwood — the upcoming season will be a tremendous year for Oklahoma’s passing game. With consensus Heisman front-runner leading the charge and numerous weapons at his disposal, the sky is the limit.