ESPN identifies OU vast receiver who might overachieve this season

[ad_1] The Oklahoma Sooners are in determined want of a bounce-back marketing campaign in 2025. A dismal offensive displaying in OU's first season within the SEC led to a 6-7 general report and a 2-6 mark in convention play.

One of many many causes that Oklahoma had a lot bother transferring the ball on offense was the vast receiver play. OU's high 5 projected receivers missed all or many of the 2024 season attributable to harm. That pressured backups and true freshmen to step into roles they weren't prepared for, and the Oklahoma passing sport crumbled.

Huge receiver definitely wasn't the one drawback on an offense filled with them, however it's an space that has to enhance together with the remainder of the offense in 2025.

ESPN believes there is a participant at this place on the Sooners roster who isa bit below the radar that may assist OU proper the ship. A handful of ESPN's faculty soccer writers recognized sleeper gamers for every of their preseason high 25 groups. For Oklahoma, who got here in at No. 25 within the rankings, they selected sophomore vast receiver Zion Kearney.

The Sooners had been besieged with accidents on the receiver place final season, and a few of their extra gifted cross catchers hit the switch portal, together with Nic Anderson. With new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and his Air Raid offense coming to Norman, which means Oklahoma will make the most of much more receivers. Kearney, a real sophomore, has an opportunity to make an enormous bounce after enjoying as a backup in 11 video games as a freshman. He has the dimensions (6-1, 207 kilos) and pace (4.28 40-yard sprint in highschool) to be a staple within the Sooners' passing sport, particularly with John Mateer stepping in at quarterback. - Chris Low, ESPN.

Kearney wasn't able to play the sort of snaps he did in 2024, however all of that have is an efficient studying alternative for him. The Sooners and vast receivers coach Emmett Jones remade the place group within the switch portal this offseason, and Kearney was one in every of a handful of gamers who determined to stay round in Norman.

Kearney additionally had a pleasant efficiency in OU's Armed Forces Bowl loss in opposition to Navy. He posted his most receiving yards of the season and his solely profession landing on a scramble drill play from Michael Hawkins Jr. He additionally managed 4 catches in opposition to Texas again in October.

With quite a lot of query marks and a few lingering harm issues for OU's vast receiver group heading into fall camp, Kearney could possibly be a shock participant to look at in his second season as a Sooner.

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