Oklahoma Sooners 2025 preview: Wide receivers poised for a big season
The top five WRs who were projected to get the most snaps and have the biggest impact last year all missed most or all of the 2024 season. Of those five players, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony and Jalil Farooq all transferred elsewhere this offseason, while Deion Burks and Jayden Gibson stayed put in Norman.
The players that were forced to step up couldn't fill those big shoes, and plenty of them have moved on as well. Backups like Brenen Thompson, J.J. Hester, and Jaquaize Pettaway hit the portal to go elsewhere.
Needless to say, wide receivers coach Emmett Jones' room needed a clean bill of health and a rebuild.
The Sooners brought in plenty of new faces at WR in the portal, but how will they fit in along with the returners on the depth chart come late-August? That's what we'll attempt to unpack today.
In new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's Air Raid offense, great wide receiver play will be paramount. Sooner fans are familiar with the Air Raid, and with seeing four, or even five wideouts on the field at the same time. However, there will also be the presence of the tight end position when the Sooners take the field this fall, so we'll only include three WRs on the depth chart to begin the season.
Quarterback
Running Back
Offensive Line
Tight End
X-Wide Receiver
Starter: Javonnie Gibson
Javonnie Gibson is one of Jones' newcomers via the portal in 2025. Of the portal additions, he was the one who popped the most in spring football, before he broke his leg late in the spring. If he's healthy when the season begins, he probably did enough in his abbreviated spring to earn the starting X-WR spot.
Backups: JerMichael Carter, Zion Kearney
JerMichael Carter was a late offseason portal add for the coaching staff after Gibson broke his leg. He also provides size in the passing game. Zion Kearney returns for his sophomore season after getting extended playing time in 2024. With Gibson's status still up in the air, there are a lot of directions Jones could go at X-WR. Sophomore Ivan Carreon is another name to watch after a nice Armed Forces Bowl performance against Navy, as is true freshman Manny Choice.
Z-Wide Receiver
Starter: Jayden Gibson
Jayden Gibson didn't play at all last year due to injury. If he's healthy this season, he could have a significant impact for the Sooners. He got plenty of run in this spot in 2023 after Andrel Anthony got hurt, and he played well down the stretch of OU's 10-win season. Here's hoping both Gibsons are ready to go for Week 1
Backups: Elijah Thomas, Keontez Lewis
Elijah Thomas is a true freshman from the 2025 recruiting class who has turned heads since arriving on campus. The Sooners got burned when relying on first-year players a season ago, so they hope Thomas is different. Keontez Lewis is another portal addition that will push for playing time, especially if there are injuries to other wide receivers. Once again, it's hard to tell what direction Jones goes here, considering the injury status of Gibson. Keep your eye on Josiah Martin and Zion Ragins, who both bring plenty of speed to the field.
Slot Wide Receiver
Starter: Deion Burks
Deion Burks is the closest thing OU has to a lock at wide receiver. If he's healthy, he'll be one of the featured targets for Arbuckle's system. He was Oklahoma's best wide receiver last season. Unfortunately, he didn't play much due to injury. He came back for one more shot to impress NFL scouts, but to do that, you have to be on the field, not on the sidelines.
Backups: Isaiah Sategna, Jacob Jordan
Isaiah Sategna is another portal addition that Jones brought in this offseason. He'll help out in the return game and offers another speedy option when Burks is off the field. Jacob Jordan was one of the few players the Sooners had on the field last year who could get open with any consistency. Guys like that typically find their way into the action.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
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