Tag: Andrel Anthony

Pair of Former Oklahoma wide receivers heading to the east coast

Pair of former Sooners find new homes on the East Coast.

More former Oklahoma Sooners have found new homes via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. As of Friday night, OU has added seven players in the portal and seen 25 leave Norman to play elsewhere.

[autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag], who spent four seasons at Oklahoma, is transferring to Maryland. He was part of the 2021 recruiting class, the final one under former head coach Lincoln Riley. He decided to stay a Sooner when Riley and quarterback Caleb Williams bolted for Southern California, playing for new head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag].

Farooq had productive seasons in 2022 and 2023 and was supposed to have another one in 2024. However, he broke his foot in the season-opener against Temple, and missed all but one game (Missouri) for the rest of the year.

His fellow wide receiver, [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] hopped in the portal again, after previously playing for the Michigan Wolverines before two seasons in Norman. He was a breakout player for the first half of 2023 before tearing his ACL in the Texas win.

That injury has continued to nag him, as he was only able to play in the Temple game in 2024. He could never get healthy, and he’ll now be moving on.

Anthony will be playing for the Duke Blue Devils, as he’ll try and get back on the field and be the deep threat that he was for a brief handful of games in a Sooners jersey.

Farooq’s move to Maryland and Anthony’s move to Duke are just the latest in a line of pass-catchers leaving OU this offseason. Nic Anderson (LSU), Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State), J.J. Hester (Kentucky) Jaquaize Pettaway (East Carolina) and Bauer Sharp (LSU) have all found new schools as well.

Oklahoma has added Javonnie Gibson (Arkansas Pine-Bluff), Keontez Lewis (Southern Illinois), and Isaiah Sategna (Arkansas) to the roster in an effort to replenish the wide receiver depth chart. They shouldn’t be done, but the returns of Deion Burks and Jayden Gibson will also be a huge help as well.

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Deion Burks returning huge for the Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners got great news with the return of wide receiver Deion Burks.

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.”

The Sooners need leadership in the room. A guy who knows what’s expected in the offseason program, especially as the Sooners look to add talent via the transfer portal.

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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Oklahoma Sooners lose another wide receiver to the transfer portal

Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Andrel Anthony entering the transfer portal.

The Oklahoma Sooners have experienced a lot of transition on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. They have a new offensive coordinator. Oklahoma will also deploy a new starting quarterback and a new group of pass catchers projected to start for Oklahoma in 2025.

Joining [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag], [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag], and [autotag]J.J. Hester[/autotag] in the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] is [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag], according to On3. Anthony joined the Sooners prior to the 2023 season, coming over from Michigan. He was Oklahoma’s leading receiver before tearing his ACL in the Sooners’ win over Texas in the Red River Showdown. That injury kept him out of action during the offseason, but there was optimism he could contribute at some point in 2024.

He appeared in the season opener against Temple and caught one pass for four yards but couldn’t get back on the field for the remainder of the season.

Now, he’ll look for his third college team in 2025, hoping to rebound from missing nearly all of the 2024 season.

In response to their departures, the Sooners are actively pursuing wide receivers Donaven McCulley and Reginald Virgil via the portal.

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Oklahoma vs Ole Miss injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 9

All the latest updates and news on Oklahoma Football’s injury report ahead of a Week 9 game vs. Ole Miss.

The Oklahoma Sooners are preparing to take on the Ole Miss Rebels this Saturday, and they’ll once again be without plenty of key faces on offense.

OU will once again be without wide receivers [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag], [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag], [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] in this week’s game. They’ve already been ruled out along with defensive backs [autotag]Gentry Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]Geirean Hatchett[/autotag].

While Gibson, Dolby and Hatchett are all out for the 2024 season, there is still hope that Farooq, Anderson, Anthony and Williams could return this year.

Oklahoma injury report

Player Position Status 10/23
Jayden Gibson WR OUT
Jalil Farooq WR OUT
Gentry Williams DB OUT
Geirean Hatchett OL OUT
Nic Anderson WR OUT
Kendel Dolby DB OUT
Tyler Keltner K OUT
Andrel Anthony WR OUT
Deion Burks WR Questionable
Gavin Sawchuk RB Doubtful

Deion Burks injury update

Deion Burks has been out of action since Oklahoma’s loss to Tennessee but Brent Venables indicated earlier this week that he was day-to-day and is questionable for this week against Ole Miss. The Sooners offense needs some experience in the passing game and Burks return would provide a boost.

Burks is still Oklahoma’s leading wide receiver in 2024 despite not playing since the Tennessee game back in September. His return would be huge for this Sooner offense as they look to rebound and find ways to put points on the board amidst the changes at offensive coordinator.

Gavin Sawchuk injury update

Gavin Sawchuk was projected to be the starter and take the leap at running back for OU in 2024, but he has struggled in a big way, losing his lead role and getting less and less carries as the season rolls along.

According to head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], Sawchuk is dealing with a strained quad, which is why he didn’t play last week against the South Carolina Gamecocks. He could return this week, but it doesn’t look very likely.

 Ole Miss injury report

Player Position Status 10/23
Cedric Beavers CB OUT
Logan Diggs RB OUT
Matt Jones RB Doubtful
Tre Harris WR Questionable
Jayden Williams OL Questionable
Jeremy James OL Questionable
Princely Umanmielen DE Probable
T.J. Dottery LB Probable
Cayden Lee WR Probable

Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris is a player to watch this week. He’s the Rebels leading receiver and if he’s unable to go this week will create an interesting dilemma for the Ole Miss offense.

Princely Umanmielen and Cayden Lee are key players for the Rebels that look to be on track to play this week. Lee is second on the team in receiving and Umanmielen is Ole Miss’ highest-graded defensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus.

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Brent Venables provides update on banged up Wide Receiver room

Brent Venables indicated that injured wide receivers are interested in coming back for 2025.

The injury situation of the Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver room has been a big storyline of the 2024 season. It isn’t the reason why the Sooners have struggled offensively, but it certainly is part of it. During the Rudy’s Coach’s Show, Brent Venables provided an update on his injured wide receivers.

Shared via Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman on X, Venables indicated that a couple of guys could return at some point this season.

[autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag], who was lost to a knee injury in the 2023 edition of the Red River Showdown, may still play this season, but Venables gave no indication as to a possible return date.

[autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] suffered a hamstring injury in fall camp and attempted to come back, but Venables indicated he’s suffered a torn quadriceps muscle.

[autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] broke his foot in the week one win over Temple, and Venables mentioned he’s still a few weeks away. Farooq still has a redshirt year available to him. Since he’s only played in one game, he could play in three more regular season games without burning the redshirt year. A few weeks away would put a return closer to the bye week. The Sooners face Alabama and LSU after the bye.

[autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] was seen warming up prior to the Sooners’ loss to South Carolina but didn’t get in the game. Venables shared that Burks is day-to-day at this point.

But perhaps the most notable comment in the injury update was more about next year than 2024. Venables shared that each of his dinged-up wide receivers has indicated they’re interested in returning for 2025. That would be huge for next season as Oklahoma would also bring back Jayden Gibson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in fall camp.

Oklahoma will still need to solidify and develop its young depth, but if Anderson, Anthony, Burks, and Farooq all return along with Gibson, that would provide the Sooners with fantastic depth for whoever the offensive coordinator and quarterback are for next year.

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Another starting wide receiver ruled out for Oklahoma’s game vs. Auburn

The Oklahoma Sooners will be missing another top wide receiver when they face the Auburn Tigers in Week 5.

The Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver room has been decimated by injuries.

They’ve been missing [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag] since fall camp. [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] broke a foot in the first quarter of Week 1.  [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] played just a few snaps in Week 1 and hasn’t been seen since. [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] tried to return for Week 4 but left the game early.

Those four wide receivers, who were expected to provide big-time contributions in 2024, have combined for 24 snaps.

The Sooners will be without their best wide receiver, [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag], ahead of their matchup with the Auburn Tigers. According to Brent Venables, Burks suffered a soft tissue injury against Tennessee and was ruled out on Thursday evening.

That means Oklahoma is down its top five wide receivers for true freshman Michael Hawkins’ first start.

Oklahoma will turn to [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag] to fill Burks’ void in the slot. The former top-100 player looked explosive late in the loss to the Volunteers. He came through with three receptions for 79 yards, including a 46-yard catch and run that helped set up one of Oklahoma’s two touchdowns.

The Sooners will need true freshmen Zion Ragins, Zion Kearney and Ivan Carreon to step into bigger roles and through the rest of the season. It’s a great opportunity for the young players on the wide receiver depth chart to solidify their role on the depth chart.

Player Position Status 9/26
Jayden Gibson WR OUT
Jalil Farooq WR OUT
Gentry Williams DB OUT
Geirean Hatchett OL OUT
Nic Anderson WR OUT
Kendel Dolby DB OUT
Tyler Keltner K OUT
Andrel Anthony WR OUT
Taylor Tatum RB OUT
Deion Burks WR OUT
Tyler Keltner K OUT
Dasan McCullough LB Questionable
Jake Taylor OL Probable

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Oklahoma Sooners vs. Auburn Tigers initial injury report for week 5

The Oklahoma Sooners and Auburn Tigers have key personnel out or questionable for their week five matchup!

The Oklahoma Sooners are dealing with a number of injuries to key players on both sides of the ball as they prepare for their first SEC road trip to Auburn, Alabama.

It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances that Brent Venables finds his team in looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season. Heading into the hostile environment provided by Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Sooners have lost a lot of experience due to injuries. With true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. set to make the first start of his collegiate career, missing that experience could have an impact on the offense’s performance.

Here’s a look at the first injury report ahead of Oklahoma vs. Auburn.

Oklahoma Injury Report

Player Position Status 9/25
Jayden Gibson WR OUT
Jalil Farooq WR OUT
Gentry Williams DB OUT
Geirean Hatchett OL OUT
Nic Anderson WR OUT
Kendel Dolby DB OUT
Tyler Keltner K OUT
Andrel Anthony WR Doubtful
Taylor Tatum RB Doubtful
Dasan McCullough LB Questionable
Deion Burks WR Questionable
Jake Taylor OL Probable

The Oklahoma Sooners have been without key pass catchers Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, and Andrel Anthony. Though he hadn’t played much this season, loss of Nic Anderson compiles the problem. Also listed as questionable on the initial injury report is Oklahoma’s go-to option, Deion Burks.

Burks has been the most productive and consistent part of the Sooners offense, racking up 26 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also added five carries for 32 yards in the jet sweep game. In his stead in week four, Jaquaize Pettaway stepped up and provided an explosive element to the passing game, recording three receptions for 79 yards, including a big catch and run that put the Sooners in scoring territory.

Andrel Anthony, who was reportedly progressing from the knee injury he suffered last October, doesn’t look close to contributing at this point. He played a few snaps in week one but hasn’t been in the game since.

If there’s any good news on this week’s injury report for the Sooners, it’s that projected starting right tackle Jake Taylor was listed as probable for the Sooners. Oklahoma’s had to mix and match their offensive line a lot over the first four weeks due to injuries. But perhaps there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

Center Branson Hickman, who missed the wins over Houston and Tulane, returned for the Tennessee game. They had four out of their five projected offensive line starters in that game, but because they hadn’t played together much, they lacked cohesion and execution.

If Taylor can play this week, it’ll be the first time they’ve had all five of their projected starters together at the same time.

Another key player to watch on this week’s injury report is running back Taylor Tatum. Tatum emerged as the backup running back behind Jovantae Barnes during his true freshman season. But he took a shot to the head in the loss to Tennessee and was removed from the game. He’s had some bright spots early in his Oklahoma career. If he can’t go this week, which seems unlikely, look for Gavin Sawchuk and Sam Franklin to get more opportunities in the running game.

Auburn Injury Report

Player Position Status 9/25
Tyler Scott DB OUT
Champ Anthony DB OUT
Brandon Frazier TE OUT
Isaiah Raikes DL Questionable
Alex McPherson K Questionable
Izavion Miller OL Questionable

For Auburn, one of the players to watch on the injury report is right tackle Izavion Miller. Miller leads all Auburn offensive linemen in snaps. He played 60 snaps against Arkansas and started all three games this season. He’s only allowed one pressure on 62 pass block snaps per Pro Football Focus in 2024.

Defensive lineman Isaiah Raikes is one to watch on the defensive side. He’s started three of Auburn’s four games this season and is second among defensive linemen in snaps this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Raikes is No. 9 in defensive grade among Auburn Tigers.

We’ll continue to follow the injury report as we get closer to kickoff.

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Oklahoma vs. Tennessee Injury Report, key Sooners set to return

Injury report highlights the possible return of four key players for the Oklahoma Sooners ahead of their showdown with Tennessee.

The Oklahoma Sooners have been bit by the injury bug in the early stages of the 2024 season. The Sooners have been playing without several key contributors at wide receiver and along the offensive line.

But the Sooners might be getting healthy at the exact right time based on the first injury report for Oklahoma’s week four matchup with the Tennessee Volutneers.

Oklahoma looks like they’ll be getting back several key contributors this week ahead of the top 15 SEC showdown.

Oklahoma

Player Position Status 9/18
Jayden Gibson WR OUT
Jalil Farooq WR OUT
Gentry Williams WR OUT
Geirean Hatchett OL OUT
Dasan McCullough LB Doubtful
Branson Hickman OL Questionable
Kade McIntyre TE Questionable
Jake Taylor OL Questionable
[autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] WR Probable
[autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] WR Probable
Kendel Dolby DB Probable
Troy Everett OL Probable

Starting wide receiver Nic Anderson, who’s been out since fall camp looks set to return. He warmed up with the team last week for the game against Tulane, but didn’t register a snap. If he can return for the Sooners against the Volunteers, it provides another weapon for Jackson Arnold to target.

In addition to Anderson, wide receiver Andrel Anthony may be back in the lineup this week. Anthony has been rehabbing the knee injury that sidelined him for the second half of the 2023 season. He was having a breakout year before tearing his ACL against Texas.

As important as those two wide receivers is the status of key interior offensive linemen, Branson Hickman and Troy Everett. Everett looks to return, given a probable designation, but Hickman might be a game-time decision as he’s been battling an ankle sprain.

The Sooners could use both veteran players ahead of this week’s matchup with a very good Tennessee Volunteers defensive front.

Though he’s listed as questionable along with Hickman, it seems less likely that Jake Taylor would play this week, given the number of injuries he’s suffered already in 2024. If he can’t play, then expect Michael Tarquin to remain at right tackle with Jacob Sexton at left tackle.

On the defensive side of the ball, standout cheetah linebacker Kendel Dolby appears to be ready to go after sitting out Oklahoma’s win over Tulane. In Tennessee’s uptempo offense, his ability to play in coverage and get after the quarterback will be needed for the Sooners defense to have success.

Gentry Williams, who opened the season as a co-starter, will miss his second-consecutive game. He’s been dealing with a shoulder issue that dates back to 2023. He had surgery in the offseason to stabilize it, but the injury has continued to persist into 2024. Without Williams in the lineup, look for another week of Kani Walker and Dez Malone, who both played well in the week three win over Tulane.

Tennessee

Player Position Status 9/18
Jourdan Thomas DB OUT
John Slaughter DB OUT
Shamurad Umarov OL OUT
Lance Heard OL Questionable
William Wright DB Probable
Ben Bolton LB Probable
William Satterwhite OL Probable

The big name to watch for the Tennessee Volunteers is standout offensive tackle Lance Heard. He’s been a big part of the Volunteers success early in the season but has been battling a sprained ankle.

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Is an Oklahoma Sooners young wide receiver ready to break out?

Is Sooners WR Jaquaize Pettaway ready to breakout?

The Oklahoma Sooners’ wide receiver depth has taken a hit over the last month. [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag] is out for the season, and [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] is out for the next six to eight weeks.

[autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] are working their way back into the mix. Anthony earned some playing time in the Week 1 win over Temple, playing eight snaps. But the Sooners are easing Anthony back into game action after his ACL injury suffered less than a year ago in the Red River Showdown.

So, where will the Sooners turn for wide receiver help? It sounds like another banged-up wide receiver could be ready to break out. [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag], a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, has been dealing with a hamstring injury the last couple of weeks, according to Brent Venables. However, the Sooners’ head coach believes he could be an answer at wide receiver for the Sooners.

“He’s fast, he’s got a good catch radius,” Venables said. “He’s really an explosive player. He had a hamstring injury the last few weeks that just kind of kept him from being full speed.”

Pettaway didn’t play much as a true freshman. He had nine receptions for 56 yards in the 2023 season opener against Arkansas State but only two more receptions on the season. Though there weren’t many opportunities for snaps last year, that’s not the case in 2024.

The Sooners will likely roll with Brenen Thompson and J.J. Hester as the starters on the outside this week and [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] in the slot. But the Sooners could look to play Pettaway or Burks in three- and four-wide receiver sets. If they want to keep Anthony in a rotation role, Pettaway gives Oklahoma a speedy option on the outside or in the slot.

Going with the speed and quickness threats of Burks, Thompson and Pettaway gives OU and quarterback Jackson Arnold options in the quick passing game. Each possesses elite speed that can create separation quickly, giving Arnold the ability to get the ball out of his hands before the pass rush can get to him.

Could this week against Houston provide Pettaway an opportunity to cement his role in the rotation? He has the traits to be a big-time playmaker for Oklahoma.

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New wide receiver emerging as Sooners’ lead target

Deion Burks flashed his exceptional skills and his chemistry with Jackson Arnold.

Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] has stolen the show both times he’s appeared in front of Sooner fans in 2024.

In April, he was the star of the spring game after transferring from Purdue this winter. Everyone left spring ball thinking he could become an explosive weapon in OU’s passing game.

In his first OU football game last Friday night, Burks was at it again, catching six passes for 33 yards and three touchdowns against Temple. He emerged as a star and the focal point of the passing game as the Sooners won 51-3.

Burks has gone from one of the guys to “the guy” for sophomore quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] and new offensive coordinator [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag]. He has been the only starter at wide receiver that has been immune to the injury bug, and his performance against the Owls could signal the start of a colossal season in 2024.

Oklahoma will be without [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag] for the season and will not have [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] for at least the next six to eight weeks. As [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] and [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] continue to work back from their injuries, Burks’ role in the offense will only increase in the early stages of the year.

The first-year Sooner has a chance to join some of the great OU names at wide receiver if he continues to lead the way as Arnold’s go-to target. It’s been a couple of years since Oklahoma had a true No. 1 wideout, but if Burks continues to shine, he could etch his name in the history books in 2024.

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