The top of the Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver depth chart appears pretty well solidified at two of the three spots. Marvin Mims takes over the slot wide receiver role, and Theo Wease was mentioned as a player who’s made a big jump by Nik Bonitto at Big 12 media days.
The return of Jadon Haselwood from injury last year provides a player with size and athleticism on the outside. Haselwood’s athleticism and catch radius gives Spencer Rattler someone he can throw to regardless of how well his receiver is covered.
With those three appear locked into playing time and true freshman Mario Williams standing out in spring practice and the spring game, Mike Woods is flying under the radar.
Woods, who transferred in from Arkansas, provides the Oklahoma Sooners with another reliable option to use on the outside in the Sooners’ wide receiver rotation.
Last year, Razorbacks’ quarterbacks had a 120 passer rating when targeting Woods. His 72.7% catch percentage led Arkansas last season.
When Arkansas went deep, it had its most success targeting Woods. On throws more than 20 yards down the field, Woods averaged 52.3 yards per reception and 39.25 yards per route run. Woods’ catch percentage on throws more than 20 yards downfield was 75% on eight targets.
And that’s an element to the passing game that Woods brings to the table. A deep threat who averaged 18.5 yards per reception will help put pressure on opposing defenses. He gives Spencer Rattler another weapon to target downfield. And a weapon that can win downfield more consistently.
In 2020, the Oklahoma Sooners struggled to find consistency with their deep passing attack. Perhaps Woods can be an answer to that.
Mims was the only consistent option for the Sooners down the field last season. But that changes in 2021.
Though the passing offense will likely run through Mims in his second year with the Sooners, don’t overlook Woods as a player that will make a huge impact. Even in a limited role, his ability to stretch the field and threaten a defense with a big play will put stress on the opposition. And with Spencer Rattler’s big arm, there’s no doubt that he can’t wait to unleash some deep passes to the Sooners’ newest deep threat.