Is an elite wide receiver on the OU Sooners’ radar? | OU Football

As the Oklahoma Sooners continue their preparations for the 2025 season and beyond, one of the most critical positions they are looking to strengthen is the wide receiver corps. With an established quarterback room, a strong offensive line, and the continuation of their high-powered offensive system, the Sooners are now turning their focus toward bolstering their receiving unit. Wide receivers play a pivotal role in Oklahoma’s fast-paced offensive attack, and the Sooners’ pursuit of an elite wide receiver could be the missing piece to elevate their offense to a championship-caliber level.

In recent years, Oklahoma has produced some of the most electrifying wide receivers in college football, such as CeeDee Lamb, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, and Drake Stoops, to name a few. These players have thrived in the system under former offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley and current coordinator Jeff Lebby. With Lebby’s pass-heavy, up-tempo style of offense, having an elite wide receiver becomes even more important. For the Sooners, the question is not just whether an elite receiver is on their radar but who they’re targeting, how they’re building out their recruiting strategy, and what kind of impact a standout receiver could have on their 2025 season and beyond.

The Importance of the Wide Receiver Position at Oklahoma

Oklahoma has a long history of excelling at the wide receiver position, and that tradition is woven into the fabric of their offensive success. Over the years, they have consistently produced top-tier receivers who have gone on to have impressive NFL careers, but their production is not solely defined by their individual stats. These players have played an integral role in setting up Oklahoma’s offense for success.

At its core, Oklahoma’s offensive strategy has always revolved around spreading the field, using quick strikes, deep shots, and creating mismatches against opposing defenses. This approach has allowed their wide receivers to put up eye-popping numbers, especially in recent years under the leadership of Lincoln Riley and Jeff Lebby. Wide receivers are tasked with running crisp routes, making explosive plays, and ensuring that the passing game complements the run game to keep defenses on their toes.

While the Sooners have had a relatively consistent group of wide receivers in recent seasons, they have had to deal with the departure of top-tier talents like CeeDee Lamb and Marquise Brown. As a result, finding an elite receiver in the recruiting class or through the transfer portal has become a top priority for the program.

Oklahoma’s Current Wide Receiver Depth

Before diving into whether an elite receiver is currently on the Sooners’ radar, it’s important to evaluate Oklahoma’s current wide receiver depth. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma’s starting quarterback, is entering his senior year, and the receiving corps will be crucial for his success.

Currently, Oklahoma has some talented wide receivers who will play significant roles in 2025. These players include:

1. Drake Stoops – Stoops is one of the most reliable and consistent receivers for the Sooners. His ability to run precise routes and make plays in critical moments has made him a fan favorite. Stoops has established himself as a dependable option, but the Sooners will need more playmaking ability and deep-threat capabilities to take their offense to the next level.
2. Jaleel Farooq – Farooq is another talented receiver who is looking to have a breakout season. He has the speed and athleticism to become a game-changing wideout for the Sooners, and with additional development, he could become one of the primary options for Gabriel in 2025.
3. Marvin Mims – Mims, now in the NFL, left a major hole in the Oklahoma offense, but his departure provides an opportunity for other young receivers to step up. Mims was known for his ability to stretch the field, and filling that void with a similar deep-threat receiver is critical.
4. Jadon Haselwood – Haselwood, another talented receiver who transferred to Arkansas, was expected to be a star at Oklahoma but ultimately didn’t fully break out. His departure leaves room for young players to make their mark.

Despite the talent currently on the roster, the Sooners are clearly in need of another elite-level wide receiver to complement their existing depth and to continue to keep up with the high expectations of their explosive offense. The team is in search of a game-changer, someone who can dominate both vertically and horizontally across the field.

Targeting an Elite Wide Receiver: The Recruiting Focus

For Oklahoma, recruiting an elite wide receiver has been one of the primary goals for the 2025 season and beyond. With the Sooners’ offense continually evolving under Jeff Lebby’s system, they need someone who can make an immediate impact in terms of route running, ball tracking, speed, and the ability to go up and get high throws. Let’s take a closer look at who might be on Oklahoma’s radar and how they are positioning themselves to land an elite wide receiver.

1. The Recruiting Strategy: The High School Route

The 2025 recruiting cycle for Oklahoma has been focused on securing top-tier talent in both the high school and transfer portal classes. Oklahoma has been diligent in scouting wide receivers who fit the mold of a high-impact player in Lebby’s system. Here are a few key prospects to watch:

• Jalen Brown – One of the top wide receiver recruits in the 2025 class, Jalen Brown out of Miami, Florida, has been linked to Oklahoma throughout his recruitment process. Known for his ability to stretch the field and make explosive plays, Brown would be a perfect fit for Oklahoma’s pass-happy offense. His speed and versatility make him an elite target for the Sooners as they aim to bolster their wide receiver depth.
• Ryan Wingo – Ryan Wingo, a highly regarded prospect out of St. Louis, is another player on Oklahoma’s radar. Wingo has the ability to separate from defenders with his speed and agility, and his football IQ gives him a competitive edge. Oklahoma has made a strong push to land Wingo, and his commitment would be a major win for the Sooners.
• Mylan Graham – Mylan Graham from Indiana is another name to watch closely. His ability to break tackles after the catch and track deep balls could be a huge asset for Oklahoma’s offense. With his physicality and skill set, he fits the profile of the type of receiver Oklahoma would love to bring in for the 2025 class.

2. The Transfer Portal Approach

While recruiting high school prospects is important, Oklahoma has also utilized the transfer portal as a way to acquire top-level talent at the wide receiver position. With wide receivers frequently transferring for more prominent roles or better opportunities, the Sooners have been in hot pursuit of immediate-impact players who can make a difference in 2025.

• Rara Thomas (Georgia) – After spending time at Georgia, Rara Thomas entered the transfer portal and has garnered significant interest from multiple programs, including Oklahoma. Known for his physicality and ability to make contested catches, Thomas could add an immediate spark to the Sooners’ wide receiver group.
• Keon Coleman (Michigan State) – Keon Coleman had a standout season at Michigan State and would bring elite level talent and experience to Oklahoma. His ability to compete for jump balls, run physical routes, and add size to the receiver group would be highly valuable for the Sooners.
• Malik Benson (Kansas) – One of the best available transfer wide receivers, Malik Benson, is another option Oklahoma is looking at. Known for his blazing speed and field-stretching abilities, Benson could come in and provide the Sooners with the type of deep-threat weapon they’ve been missing since the departure of Marvin Mims.

The Impact of an Elite Receiver on the Sooners

The addition of an elite wide receiver would undoubtedly have a massive impact on Oklahoma’s offense. For one, it would provide Dillon Gabriel (or whoever the Sooners’ starting quarterback is) with a legitimate game-breaker who can dominate the field. This would not only improve the passing game but also create more opportunities for other receivers and running backs to make plays.

An elite wide receiver can force opposing defenses to adjust their schemes, whether by putting extra defenders on that player or by altering coverage schemes. This opens up the field for other players to get open and create mismatches.

Furthermore, having a deep-threat receiver who can stretch the field helps in creating the vertical attack that Jeff Lebby’s offense relies on. The threat of big plays downfield can draw defenders away from the line of scrimmage, opening up space for the running game to flourish as well.