Tag: Marvin Mims

Oklahoma Sooners enter spring with tons of depth at wide receiver

Emmett Jones and the Oklahoma Sooners have assembled an incredibly talented group of players at wide receiver for 2024.

In each of the last two seasons, the Oklahoma Sooners have lost their leading receiver.

[autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag], who led the team in 2022, earned a Pro Bowl selection with the Denver Broncos in his rookie season in 2023. [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag] is hoping to hear his name called in the 2024 NFL draft after his breakout season in 2023.

And despite the turnover, the Sooners are still stacked at wide receiver.

[autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] is back after his breakout season in 2023. Anderson caught 38 balls for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns. He led the nation in yards per reception among qualified wide receivers. [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag], who also experienced a breakout year in a rotational role also returns looking to build off of a season in which he had 14 receptions for 375 yards and five touchdowns. Swiss Army knife wide receiver [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] returns to give the Sooners a veteran in the room. He had a solid year that was marred by ball insecurity that reared its head in the Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona. Farooq was second on the team in receptions and third in receiving yards last season.

[autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] returns after suffering an ACL tear in the Red River Rivalry win over Texas. Prior to his injury, Anthony was leading the Sooners in receiving, winning at every level of the passing game.

Also back are speedsters [autotag]Brenen Thompson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag]. Though they saw limited playing time, their speed put defenses on notice last year. Thompson provided big play ability every time he stepped on the field and will look to earn a bigger role this offseason. Pettaway was getting his feet wet as a true freshman but could see an increased workload on offense and special teams.

And if that was the depth chart at wide receiver heading into 2024, you’d feel great about what Jackson Arnold will be throwing to. And yet, the talent that Emmett Jones has assembled at wide receiver looks like the heroes arriving at the culmination of Avengers: End Game for the battle with Thanos.

Jones also brought in talented playmaker [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] from Purdue. Burks could be a candidate to start for the Sooners in the slot, taking over for Stoops in 2024. And if that weren’t enough, the Sooners added a really good freshman class with [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag], [autotag]Ivan Carreon[/autotag], [autotag]Zion Ragins[/autotag], and [autotag]K.J. Daniels[/autotag].

To say the Sooners are talent-rich at wide receiver heading into 2024 would be an understatement. From top to bottom, it’s easily the deepest position group on the roster. And with Jackson Arnold taking over at quarterback and transition along the offensive line, a lot will be expected of Emmett Jones’ wide receiver crew to provide big plays for the Sooners in 2024.

And with the talent that Jones and the Sooners have assembled, they’re about to have a huge season in their first in the SEC.

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NFL.com ranks Broncos’ 2023 draft class worst in the league

It’s too early to truly grade the 2023 draft class, but early returns are not good for the Broncos.

Eric Edholm and Chad Reuter recently ranked all 32 classes from the 2023 NFL draft and their rankings were not kind to the Denver Broncos or general manager George Paton.

Denver’s 2023 draft class ranked 32nd, dead last in the NFL.

Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs (No. 11), Las Vegas Raiders (No. 14) and Los Angeles Chargers (No. 25) dew mixed reviews. The Houston Texans had the No. 1-ranked class.

The Broncos only ended up making five picks last year following the trades for quarterback Russell Wilson (2022) and coach Sean Payton (2023). With those five picks, Denver landed WR Marvin Mims, LB Drew Sanders CB, Riley Moss, DB JL Skinner and OL Alex Forsyth.

Mims was the only one who made a big impact as he earned a Pro Bowl nod and received All-AFC and All-Rookie recognition from PFWA as a returner.

Mims aside, last year’s class certainly doesn’t look great right now, but a one-year sample size is too short of a window to truly judge a class. Most pundits agree that it takes three years before being able to give a fair grade. So we’ll revisit this topic in 2026, but the early returns are concerning.

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Top 20 Oklahoma Sooners of all-time in receiving yards

Top 20 Oklahoma Sooners in career receiving yards.

Since the turn of the century, the Oklahoma Sooners have recruited, developed, and produced some of the best wide receivers in college football. The air-raid revolution, combined with Oklahoma’s ability to recruit allowed wide receivers to put up monster numbers in Norman.

Of the top 20 players in receiving yards in Oklahoma history, 17 of them played for the Sooners during the [autotag]Bob Stoops[/autotag] or [autotag]Lincoln Riley[/autotag] eras. The four that didn’t were [autotag]Stephen Alexander[/autotag], [autotag]Corey Warren[/autotag], and [autotag]Eddie Hinton[/autotag].

Considering how little the teams threw the football when Hinton played, it’s pretty incredible they were able to put up the numbers they did. With Drake Stoops career year in 2023, legendary tight end Keith Jackson fell out of the top 20. Jackson played at a time when they didn’t throw the ball a ton, but his athleticism and speed allowed him to make the most of his opportunities.

Who knows what his numbers would look like in a modern offense. Imagine Brock Bowers but with even bigger numbers.

Half of the players in the top 20 in receiving yards averaged 15 or more yards per reception.

No player with at least 75 receptions in their Sooners career averaged more yards per reception than [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] 19.5 per catch. His first 1,000-yard season in 2022 helped him reach eighth all-time in receiving yards at the University of Oklahoma.

[autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag]’s 1,571 receiving yards puts him 20th all-time.

Nic Anderson looks like the next player to enter the top 20, if he’s able to recreate his breakout 2023 season in 2024. By the end of his Sooners career, he could be flirting with the top 10 in career receiving yards at the University of Oklahoma.

Here’s an updated look at Oklahoma’s top 20 Sooners in receiving yards all time.

Best photos of Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, CeeDee Lamb in the NFL Pro Bowl

A look at some of the best photos of Sooners at the NFL Pro Bowl, including game MVP Baker Mayfield.

It was an eventful week in Orlando as the NFL hosted its annual All-Star week during the Pro Bowl. Over the years, the event has evolved from a full-fledged game to its modern iteration, featuring a series of skills competitions that culminated in a flag football game.

The Oklahoma Sooners were well-represented even though Creed Humphrey and Trent Williams didn’t make the trip as they prepare for Super Bowl LVIII. Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, Lane Johnson, CeeDee Lamb, and Marvin Mims were participants this week, and Mayfield made the most of it.

Mayfield, who had a resurgent season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, won the accuracy competition and was named the game’s MVP after leading Eli Manning’s NFC squad to a comeback win over Peyton Manning’s AFC.

Along the way, Mayfield through a touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb and the two nearly connected for another highlight-worthy play late in the game, but Lamb was unable to get both feet down in bounds.

It was a memorable week for the Sooners that serves as a precursor to Sunday’s Super Bowl, which features six Oklahoma Sooners, the most of any college football program in the country.

Photos from Sooners at the Pro Bowl!

Pat Surtain grabs pick-6, but AFC falls to NFC in 2024 Pro Bowl (highlights)

The AFC lost to the NFC on Sunday, but Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain made a big play in the flag football game.

After a successful switch to a flag football format in 2023, Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC) returned to coach their respective conferences at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando this week.

Peyton’s AFC squad won Sunday’s flag football game 50-34, but with points from skills competitions added in, Eli’s NFC won the 2024 Pro Bowl Games with a cumulative overall score of 64-59. Eli’s NFC also defeated Peyton’s AFC last year with a cumulative score of 35-33.

The Denver Broncos were represented by cornerback Pat Surtain, safety Justin Simmons and wide receiver Marvin Mims at this year’s Pro Bowl. Check out some of the top moments from Pro Bowl week below.

How to watch and stream the 2024 Pro Bowl

This year’s Pro Bowl will be televised on ESPN and ABC. Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC) have returned to coach their conferences.

The 2024 Pro Bowl will be played at Camping World Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 1:00 p.m. MT. The flag football game will be televised on ESPN, ABC, Disney XD, and ESPN Deportes. Fans can stream the game on ESPN+, NFL+ or fuboTV (try it free).

Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC) have returned to serve as the head coaches of their respective conferences. The Denver Broncos will have three players starting for the AFC: Justin Simmons (safety), Pat Surtain (cornerback) and Marvin Mims (returner).

In addition to the flag football game, the 2024 Pro Bowl Games will also feature the following four skills competitions on Sunday:

  • Madden NFL Head-to-Head: For the fourth consecutive year, EA SPORTS will host the Madden NFL Head-to-Head Pro Bowl Games event. Two players will represent the NFC and defend their title against the AFC played in Madden NFL 24 using the official 2024 Pro Bowl Games rosters. New this year, the winning team will earn their conference three points.
  • Gridiron Gauntlet: A full-field relay race between six AFC players and six NFC players who show off their athletic prowess in a challenging obstacle course. They’ll break through walls and crawl under doors, among other obstacles, to get to the final sled push across the field with the ultimate goal of finishing first. The winning team will earn their conference three points.
  • Tug-of-War: New this year, Tug-of-War is a five-on-five demonstration of teamwork, strength and strategy. Positioned above a foam pit, players are challenged to pull backwards on the rope, attempting to move the opposing team in their direction. The competition will be the best of three, and the winner who pulls the opposing team across the marker twice gains three points.
  •  Move the Chains: This offensive and defensive linemen strength and speed competition takes strategy and teamwork. Each team of five players must work together to move 3,000 pounds of weights off a massive wall and be the first team to pull that 2,000-pound wall across the finish line. The winner will earn three points for their conference.

The Pro Bowl switched to a flag football and skills competitions format last year and Eli’s NFC defeated Peyton’s AFC with a cumulative winning score of 35-33. Last year, members of the winning team received $88,000 and players from the losing team earned $42,000.

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Broncos WR Marvin Mims wants to fit in at Pro Bowl

Marvin Mims fits right in at the Pro Bowl as one of the best returners in the league.

After being elected to the Pro Bowl last month, Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims was asked if he’s eager to meet NFL stars in Orlando.

“I don’t want to fan boy,” Mims said with a smile on Jan. 4. “That’s kind of weird. It’s going to be cool to hang out with a lot of those guys. We have a good amount of [University of Oklahoma] guys there too, so it’s going to be good to connect with them. I’m excited. I don’t want to fan boy. I kind of want to fit in.”

Mims should fit right in. As one of the best special teams players in the league, he belongs at the Pro Bowl. The rookie receiver had a quiet year on offense, but he averaged 26.5 yards per kickoff return and 16.4 yards per punt return in 2023.

“I think it was a really good rookie class,” Broncos general manager George Paton said at the team’s end-of-season press conference. “You didn’t see it on Sundays all the time, but we saw it in practice. Marvin Mims had a Pro Bowl year as a returner. [He’s a] work in progress as a receiver, but he had some really big moments.”

This year’s Pro Bowl flag football game will be played at Camping World Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 4 in Orlando.

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Reaching the Pro Bowl a ‘great honor’ for 3 Broncos players

Justin Simmons, Pat Surtain and Marvin Mims will represent the Broncos at the Pro Bowl this week. “It’s a great honor,” Mims said.

Denver Broncos coaches and scouts will travel to Alabama this week for Senior Bowl practices. Meanwhile, three Broncos players will head to Florida for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.

Denver’s Justin Simmons (safety), Pat Surtain (cornerback) and Marvin Mims (returner) were elected AFC starters by fans, players and coaches for this year’s all-star flag football game.

“It’s a great honor, and a huge testament to my teammates and the special teams unit,” Mims said on Jan. 4. “They gave me great looks all season. We led the league in both return averages. It ended up working out great, so just to be able to be recognized as a Pro Bowler for this conference and then just representing the special teams unit is a huge honor.”

Mims, a rookie, will be making his first Pro Bowl appearance. Surtain will be returning after making his all-star debut last season.

“It means a lot,” Surtain said on Jan. 4. “The Pro Bowl is such a big thing and such a big deal, especially individually. You always want to receive those accolades for your play. It’s a huge honor to be recognized as such around the league by my peers and the fans for voting me in and thinking I’m that caliber of a player. It means a lot in general.”

Simmons also received his second Pro Bowl nod after previously being selected in 2020 (the game was canceled that year due to COVID-19).

“It means a lot,” Simmons said on Jan. 4. “I made a post last night — I obviously wanted to thank Broncos Country for all the fan votes [along with] coaches and my peers around the league. When you get to a point in this league and you get recognized for your play by opposing coaches and opposing players, it means a lot when your name gets put up there with some of the best in our league. I just feel honored.

“Obviously for Pat, it’s a huge honor for him to continue to cement his legacy, even at an early age. How cool for Marvin in his rookie year to be able to come in and be selected as a starter? Well-deserved for him, too. I’m so happy for them.”

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz and fullback Mike Burton were named third alternates for the AFC squad.

“For Mike and Quinn earning alternates, I’ve had that a few times,” Simmons said. “I know it’s just going to drive them and continue to help make them the players they’ll become as years go on.”

The 2024 Pro Bowl flag football game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 4 in Orlando. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

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Broncos CB Pat Surtain, KR Marvin Mims recognized by PFWA

Broncos CB Pat Surtain (All-AFC) and KR Marvin Mims (All-AFC, All-Rookie) were recognized by the PFWA following the 2023 season.

The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) has announced its all-pro designations from the 2023 NFL season and two Denver Broncos players were recognized.

Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain made the All-AFC Team alongside New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner. Denver wide receiver Marvin Mims also made the All-AFC squad as the conference’s kick returner. Additionally, Mims made the All-Rookie Team as a returner.

Surtain (cornerback) and Mims (returner) were also named starters for the 2024 Pro Bowl after being elected by coaches, players and fans. Broncos safety Justin Simmons will also start for the AFC at the Pro Bowl.

Simmons and Mims were previously named to the Associated Press All-Pro squad as second-team players. Surtain was snubbed by AP All-Pro voters, but he did make the NFLPA’s All-Pro Team that was voted on by his peers.

Elsewhere, Denver fullback Michael Burton made the Pro Football Focus All-Pro Team and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni received second-team recognition from PFF.

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‘Hornsdown4life’: Caleb Williams declares for the NFL draft

Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams declares for the NFL draft in post saying, “HornsDown4Life.”

Former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams declared for the NFL draft on Monday.

In a post to the social media platform X, Williams said, “Since I was 10, all I ever wanted to do was to play football. The journey would be empty without the people who have supported and loved me. I will Fight On forever and rep HornsDown4Life. I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I am officially declaring for the NFL draft.”

Though he didn’t finish his career with the Oklahoma Sooners, Caleb Williams will live in OU-Texas lore forever.

The Sooners were down 28-7 early in the second quarter. Facing a fourth and one, Williams entered and, after a quarterback draw, ran 66 yards to the endzone for a touchdown.

More: Social media reacts to Sooners incredible comeback win over Texas

After Spencer Rattler’s second turnover of the game with 2:52 left in the quarter, Williams came in for good.

More: Caleb Williams shares message of support for former teammates ahead of Red River Showdown

On his next drive, Williams orchestrated a field goal drive to cut the Texas lead to 15. Though Texas would answer to go into halftime up 18 points, the first half set the stage for one of the most legendary comebacks in the history of the sport.

After punting on their first possession, Oklahoma scored on their next five possessions and the defense held Texas to just three points and the Sooners took the lead. Along the way, Williams hit Marvin Mims for a couple of deep balls, aided by some incredible catches by Mims.

Williams and Mims combined for one of the most incredible plays in the history of the game. Facing a 3rd and 19, Williams had time in the pocket, but as the protection began to break, he found space in the middle of the pocket and, on the run and on one foot, threw a dime to the front corner of the end zone. Mims made an incredible adjustment on the ball and made the iconic catch while diving into the endzone.

Though his relationship with Oklahoma may be complicated, Williams made an impact in his short time in Norman. Even in the wake of Lincoln Riley’s departure, Williams stuck around for the Alamo Bowl with Bob Stoops even though it was expected he’d follow Riley to USC.

He helped Oklahoma go 6-2 as the starting quarterback. Though games against Baylor and Oklahoma State were let-down performances, some of that responsibility falls on the coaching staff as well.

But for Williams, he’ll always be remembered for what he was able to accomplish in the Red River Showdown as the Sooners came back to stun the Longhorns.

More: Best photos of Caleb Williams time with the Oklahoma Sooners

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.