Tag: Theo Wease

Oklahoma Sooners playing numbers game to replace WR Marvin Mims

While the Oklahoma Sooners have a hole at wide receiver, they have several promising players to work with to replace Marvin Mims.

The Oklahoma Sooners lost several players to the NFL after the 2022 season. Perhaps none were a bigger loss than wide receiver [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag].

Mims, who emerged as a true freshman, led the Oklahoma Sooners in receiving yards each of his three seasons in Norman. His penchant for the big play was a huge part of Oklahoma’s offensive success over the last three seasons.

New wide receivers coach [autotag]Emmett Jones[/autotag] and offensive coordinator [autotag]Jeff Lebby[/autotag] have a tall task ahead of them to find someone to replace Mims in the starting lineup.

[autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] and [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag] are back and are likely two of Oklahoma’s starting wide receivers in three receiver sets. Stoops is a steady present out of the slot and had his most productive season in 2022. Farooq had a strong season in his first year as a starter and will look to build on it in 2023.

But what will Oklahoma do on the outside opposite Farooq? There’s not a clear answer as the Sooners begin their offseason workouts. As opposed to fill in the blank, Oklahoma will be answering a multiple choice or select all that apply test for outside wide receiver two.

The Sooners have a host of guys that will compete for snaps on the wide receiver depth chart. Returning are [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag] and [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], two members of the 2022 signing class that have a ton of potential but didn’t see many opportunities last season for varying reasons.

Then there are the transfer additions Oklahoma made late last spring. [autotag]J.J. Hester[/autotag] and [autotag]L.V. Bunkely-Shelton[/autotag] will get a full offseason of work in Jeff Lebby’s offense. They have experience from their original schools that could help the Sooners mitigate the loss of Marvin Mims and, to a lesser extent, [autotag]Theo Wease[/autotag]. Oklahoma added [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] in the portal this offseason. He’s a big-play threat similar to Hester. Those three transfer additions don’t bring elite production, but they’ve done some things at the collegiate level that Jones and Lebby can develop.

The Sooners added a couple more wide receivers in this signing class that have a chance to have an early impact. [autotag]Keyon Brown[/autotag] may be ready to go from a technical perspective, while [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag]’s speed is going to be a game-changer for this offense. Pettaway won’t be in Norman till the summertime, but it won’t take long for the coaching staff to see the difference his speed makes.

The Oklahoma Sooners may not know who slides into the starting lineup at this point. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There will be quite the competition at wide receiver to see who emerges from a deep group of players with promise.

As the offseason churns along, this will be one of the position battles to watch for 2023.

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How does Oklahoma replace lost receiving production from 2022?

Oklahoma is losing 66 percent of its receiving production heading into 2023. Who helps fill that void for the Sooners?

Oklahoma’s roster construction for team 129 isn’t finished yet, and that’s fine. It’s only January. However, as Oklahoma looks to retool its roster and improve next season, it’ll have to do it without one of its best players. Marvin Mims announced his decision to forego one more year of eligibility and declared for the 2023 NFL draft.

It’s hard to blame him as he’s led the Sooners in receiving every year of his collegiate career and can’t prove too much else to draft pundits and scouts. His absence gives Oklahoma another problem that this offensive staff will have to figure out in the months ahead of the 2023 season opener. 

With Mims out of the door, the Sooners have lost 66% of their receiving yards from this 2022 season. Mims, [autotag]Brayden Willis[/autotag], [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], and Theo Wease are gone. Jalil Farooq and Drake Stoops are Oklahoma’s top two options as things stand.

Farooq totaled 466 receiving yards, while Stoops had 393 yards in 2022. They will need better performances from both, plus help from someone new to make up the 2,000 yards they’ve lost this winter. Who will help fill the void and make up the difference? 

Expect Jalil Farooq to get a bump in targets and touches in 2023.

The third year Sooner was solid in 2022. He didn’t have a 100-yard game and finished fourth in receptions,  but only Marvin Mims had more games of four receptions or more this season than Farooq. Toss in his 15 carries for 140 yards, and only Eric Gray and Mims had more yards from scrimmage than Farooq. Farooq did have 100 total yards against Iowa State when he caught 4 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown and ran the ball twice for 26 yards.

He’s a dynamic player with the ball in his hands and can win at every level of the defense.

2022 freshmen Gavin Freeman,  Nic Anderson, and Jaylen Gibson could also have an impact in 2023.

Freeman was on the field for 77 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. He finished with 7 receptions for 71 yards, along with three carries for 46 yards and a touchdown. His speed and big-play ability were an asset for the Sooners and another offseason in Norman should help him get some more opportunities. Freeman is the most likely candidate to see a bump up based on his play in 2022. 

Gibson had a big-time TD in the spring game but didn’t see many opportunities in the passing game in 2022. He played 96 snaps but only saw five targets. He turned that into one reception for 12 yards. More weight room progress and a big off-season could help give him a shot to see more playing time and potentially replace Marvin Mims.

Nic Anderson played sparingly and didn’t see a target in the passing game. His freshman season was limited due to offseason injuries. 

LV Bunkley-Shelton and JJ Hester both transferred in before the season last year. Later arrivals, they struggled to crack the rotation during the 2022 season. Shelton saw the field a bit more at the end of the season and even made a catch in the Cheez-It Bowl. Shelton could fit best in the slot, while Hester is an outside guy.

Both played Power Five football before coming to OU. That experience and a full offseason in the program could help them earn more opportunities in 2023. That time in the program should equip them to have a better understanding of the offense.

Oklahoma’s tight-end room will need to grow in a big way in 2023. Austin Stogner comes in to replace Brayden Willis as the leader in the room and the starting tight end. But the Sooners used a lot of 12 personnel, with one running back, two wide receivers, and two tight ends. So, Oklahoma will need Kaden Helms and Jason Llewelyn to take a significant step forward to improve the tight end depth in 2023.

The remaining possibilities come from players not on campus yet. A freshman that looks likely to break out, four-star wide receiver Jaquaize Pettaway. He’s a blur and instantly one of the fastest on the team upon his arrival. You can’t coach that type of speed. It’ll be hard to envision a world where Lebby doesn’t at least have him out there catching screens, running jet sweeps, and letting him run go and backside post routes.

Altogether this is what Oklahoma has in its receiving cupboard for 2023. Increased opportunities for Jalil Farooq and Drake Stoops seem inevitable. In fact, if they don’t take steps forward, none of this discussion matters. They’ll need assistance from their 2023 recruiting class, a transfer, or a surprise from their depth chart to make up the remainder of the receiving production lost this offseason.

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Ranking Oklahoma’s last 10 recruiting classes

Ranking the Oklahoma Sooners last 10 recruiting classes.

The Oklahoma Sooners closed the early signing period of the 2023 cycle with a ton of momentum, earning a last-second flip of five-star safety [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag]. Bowen joined Guyer teammate [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] and edge rusher [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag] in the 2023 class to give the Sooners three five-star players for the cycle.

It was a huge recruiting haul for [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff, who worked their way into the top five of the 247Sports recruiting class composite. This class has Venables fingerprints all over it with a heavy emphasis on the defensive side of the ball.

The Sooners ended up with 16 four- and five-star signees, and 10 of those came on the defensive side. Six were defensive backs, two were linebackers, and two were defensive linemen. The three-star players they signed on defense can play. [autotag]Taylor Wein[/autotag], [autotag]Markus Strong[/autotag], [autotag]Ashton Sanders[/autotag], [autotag]Phil Picciotti[/autotag] and [autotag]Erik McCarty[/autotag] are athletic players with high motors. Each has a chance to outperform his recruiting status.

It was an historic class for the Sooners, marking just the second time in the 247Sports database (since 2000) that they signed multiple five-star defensive players, and only the second time they had three five-star signees. Looking back, let’s take a look at how it stacks up with the last 10 recruiting classes for the Oklahoma Sooners.

‘He’s told the coaches he’s going to return’: Bob Stoops says Drake Stoops will return in 2023

Drake Stoops set to return to the Oklahoma Sooners for 2023.

There’s been speculation about [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag]’ intentions for the 2023 season, but that has been put to bed ahead of the Oklahoma Sooners’ matchup with the Florida State Seminoles. On an episode of Bob Stoops on the former Oklahoma head coach’s YouTube channel, Stoops was asked if Drake would be returning for another season in Norman.

Stoops said, “Yeah, he’s told the coaches that he’s going to return for his next year and take his COVID year and work on some particular things that he feels he can be better at. At this point, that’s where it’s at, and he’s set to play another year.”

That’s a massive boost for an Oklahoma wide receiver group that is in a period of flux. Questions remain about whether star wideout [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] will return for his senior season or make the jump and head to the NFL draft. Additionally, the Sooners have had three receivers enter the transfer portal. [autotag]Theo Wease[/autotag] was the most notable loss, as he was a contributor in his time in Norman.

Stoops’ return adds stability and ensures the Sooners will have at least two starting returners in Stoops and [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] if Mims does head to the NFL. In 2022, Stoops has tallied 37 catches for 366 yards and three touchdowns. He’s a big-time third-down target out of the slot because of his work in the intermediate areas of the field. That’s going to be a big help next year for whoever is under center in Norman.

Stoops is a veteran leader and presence in the locker room. His experience will be invaluable to younger receivers like Farooq, [autotag]LV Bunkley-Shelton[/autotag], [autotag]J.J. Hester[/autotag], [autotag]Gavin Freeman[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag], [autotag]Nicholas Anderson[/autotag], and incoming receivers like four-star signees [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag] and [autotag]Keyon Brown[/autotag].

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Oklahoma Sooners winners last week with hot start in the transfer portal per ESPN

With big-time moves on both sides of the ball, ESPN dubbed Oklahoma winners for their early work in the transfer portal.

One week does not an offseason make, but the Oklahoma Sooners got off to a great start in the transfer portal. With [autotag]Jacob Lacey[/autotag] already locked in, the Sooners brought back former tight end [autotag]Austin Stogner[/autotag] and landed the top edge rusher in the transfer class, [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag].

That start earned the Sooners mention in last week’s recap of the portal from ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren.

The Sooners are a winner for bettering the offense with tight end Austin Stogner, who transferred to South Carolina last year but will return to Norman for 2023, and the defense with Indiana linebacker Dasan McCullough, a former top-50 recruit who wreaked havoc for the Hoosiers’ defense in 2022. And while it doesn’t count toward the portal, the staff also landed a commitment from McCullough’s younger brother, Daeh, an ESPN 300 safety in the 2023 class. – VanHaaren, ESPN

The addition of McCullough provides the Sooners with a player that can either take over at Cheetah or mix in immediately with their EDGE rotation. A former safety, McCullough led the Indiana Hoosiers with four sacks and was third in tackles for loss with 6.5. As a true freshman. His length and athleticism will create nightmares for opposing offensive coordinators.

On the other side of the ball, Austin Stogner returns with an opportunity to put up a career year in Jeff Lebby’s offense, just like [autotag]Brayden Willis[/autotag] did in 2022.

Stogner, arguably a better receiver, should thrive with a full-time role after sharing tight end/H-back duties each of the last two seasons. He had just 26 targets with the Sooners in 2021 but recorded three touchdowns. That’s a touchdown every 8.67 targets. With seven touchdowns on 53 targets, Willis had a TD every 7.57 targets. That’s a lower rate, but with [autotag]Theo Wease[/autotag] gone and more of a full-time opportunity, Stogner could experience a similar breakout as his former teammate Willis.

With little experience at the tight end position as Oklahoma looks toward 2023, the Sooners needed to add a veteran presence. And tight ends coach [autotag]Joe Jon Finley[/autotag] brought in a familiar face.

Oklahoma still has some work to do in the portal as they look to lock up their recruiting class. But if their first week in the transfer portal is any indication, the Sooners will be in great shape.

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Idaho State standout WR Xavier Guillory earns an Oklahoma offer

Oklahoma continues to look for receiver help via the transfer portal and offered Big Sky All-Conference selection Xavier Guillory. From @thatmanbryant

Oklahoma has made it clear that they are looking for seasoned wide receiver help this winter. They’ve sent out multiple offers to wide receivers in the transfer portal and continued that trend with an offer to Idaho State transfer Xavier Guillory on Monday.

Guillory stands 6-foot-2 per Idaho State’s official roster. In his collegiate career, Guillory has 91 catches for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s averaged 15 yards per reception. Guillory was also a Big Sky All-Conference selection.

With Oklahoma’s interest, it brings his offer total to 14.

 

Guillory has received offers from Arizona State, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Montana, Montana State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Utah, and Washington State, among others.

Guillory communicated with Brandon Huffman of 247Sports and had a few thoughts about his Sooners offer. “The Oklahoma offer is huge,” said Guillory. “They want me to go and compete to be a WR1.”

Guillory also made it known to Huffman that he really wants to find a way to get a visit in with the Sooners.

Prior to the Oklahoma offer, it seemed like a two-horse race between Arizona State and Washington State. With Oklahoma tossing its crimson cap into the mix, it’s officially a three-team race, with the Sooners coming in hot. A visit to Norman could give Oklahoma a serious chance at turning this recruitment on its head and putting itself in the driver’s seat.

Oklahoma offers the brightest lights out of any of his offers, but Guillory is from Spokane, Washington. That could give Washington State an advantage if playing close to home means a significant amount for the sophomore wide receiver.

With the departure of Theo Wease and other depth options via the portal, Oklahoma is looking for talent for the wide receiver room. You can never have enough playmakers at the wide receiver position.

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Sooners extend offer to Lousiana Tech transfer WR Tre Harris

With the departure of multiple receivers to the portal, Oklahoma sends out an offer to LA Tech receiver Tre Harris.

While the portal casualties for Oklahoma have risen into the double digits, it opens the door for Oklahoma to upgrade the talent that will don the Crimson and Cream.

After submitting offers to Ra Ra Thomas and Dante Cephas, the Sooners are targeting another wide receiver. This time, it’s Louisiana Tech’s Tre Harris.

At 6-foot-2, Harris had 65 receptions for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. He was a first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2022 after earning honorable mention honors in 2021.

He ranks fourth nationally in scrimmage plays over 40 yards (6), and fifth in plays over 30 yards (9). Simply put, Harris is one of the best receivers in the portal, regardless of his former school. He’s a big play waiting to happen and would be a nice addition should the Sooners land him.

The Sooners have lost three wide receivers to the portal: Theo Wease, Brian Darby, and Trevon West. Wease is the only notable contributor from the bunch and based on Harris’ stats, he could very easily fill that void.

Harris has also received offers from Mississippi State and West Virginia.

Here are a few of his catches below.

There’s no timetable for a decision yet but expect things to move along fairly quickly as transfers typically would prefer to get to their newest destination as fast as possible in time for winter workouts and the new semester that starts in January.

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Oklahoma Sooners targeting a pair of wide receivers in the transfer portal

Oklahoma is looking to add to their wide receiver ranks with offers to a couple of transfer portal wideouts, RaRa Thomas and Dante Cephas. From @john9williams

As the transfer portal officially opened on Monday, the Oklahoma Sooners saw some depth walk out the door. Mostly, it’s been players that saw little to no playing time for Oklahoma in 2022, but at wide receiver, they’ve seen a bit more attrition.

[autotag]Theo Wease[/autotag] made it known last week he’d be entering the portal, and on Monday, [autotag]Brian Darby[/autotag] and [autotag]Trevon West[/autotag] also put their names in the transfer portal.

With the college football world doing some portal shopping, it looks like the Sooners are targeting a couple of wide receivers early in the process. Oklahoma offered Mississippi State transfer wide receiver [autotag]RaRa Thomas[/autotag] and Kent State wideout [autotag]Dante Cephas[/autotag].

Thomas was a three-star prospect in the 2021 cycle and put up 44 receptions for 626 yards and seven touchdowns for the Bulldogs in 2022. Cephas was also a three-star player in the 2019 class and recorded 48 receptions for 744 yards and three touchdowns.

Cephas had four receptions for 50 yards against Oklahoma in week two of the season, but his high moment came against Ohio, where he posted 13 receptions for 246 yards and a touchdown.

Thomas posted 5 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown in a win against Texas A&M, went for 8 and 73 against Alabama, and recorded six catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns against Auburn.

Though [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] is playing in the bowl game, there’s a strong possibility that’s his last for the Sooners with an NFL draft decision looming. If Mims were to declare for the draft, that would leave Oklahoma with [autotag]Jalil Faroo[/autotag]q and [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag] as the only Sooners wide receivers to play significant snaps in Norman.

The Sooners added [autotag]J.J. Hester[/autotag] and [autotag]L.V. Bunkley-Shelton[/autotag] in the portal late last spring, but they didn’t see the field much, so it’s difficult to know where they stand with the coaching staff. Both have experience from their previous stops and have playmaking ability, but Oklahoma would be wise to add some more depth.

Oklahoma will have quite a few young guys competing for snaps, like [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag], and Freeman, along with incoming freshmen [autotag]Keyon Brown[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag] (assuming they sign).

We’ll see if Oklahoma’s able to close on either Cephas or Thomas, but it’s clear they believe they need to add some wide receiver depth in the portal this offseason to put them in a better position to contend in 2023.

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The top five wide receivers in the transfer portal currently

Texas will likely take a look at a couple of these names.

Many players across the college football landscape officially submitted their name into the NCAA transfer portal on Monday. Continue reading “The top five wide receivers in the transfer portal currently”

2022-2023 Oklahoma Football Transfer Portal Tracker

What’s happened in the transfer portal for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2022-2023 offseason?

The 2022 regular season is behind us, leaving the Oklahoma Sooners eagerly awaiting their bowl destination with one last chance to close a disappointing season in Norman above .500.

While the Sooners wait to find out their bowl location and matchup, they’ll be working to secure their 2023 recruiting class and retool the roster through veteran transfers. They’ve already added to their interior defensive line depth with the addition of [autotag]Jacob Lacey[/autotag] and will probably add more depth on a defense that wasn’t good enough in 2022.

While the portal giveth, it also taketh. In just a few days since the end of the regular season, Oklahoma has lost Theo Wease, Jordan Mukes and Joshua Eaton to the portal. While Mukes and Eaton didn’t play much for the Sooners, the loss of Wease will be felt.

In his last hurrah as an Oklahoma Sooner, Wease posted a career-best 123 yards on just three receptions and had a big-time touchdown for the Sooners.

There will be much more activity on the transfer portal horizon over the next few months, and we’ll keep track of all the comings and goings with our handy-dandy transfer portal tracker.

Updated Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. CT