Without trying to sound calloused, if Oklahoma was to suffer a preseason injury then receiver is one of the position groups where they could most afford it. With news breaking on Wednesday that junior receiver Theo Wease had suffered a lower body injury, the immediate reaction (beyond wishing him a speedy recovery) is to take a quick glance at the depth chart. If you were to do that then you would immediately notice that the Sooners are not only deep at the receiver position but also extremely talented.
I’m not at all trying to downplay the significance of Theo Wease to the Oklahoma offense (37 receptions for 530 yards and four touchdowns in 2020) but what I am saying is that the “next man up” mentality is a lot easier applied to the receiver room than it is to other position groups.
The Sooners have both an influx of new talent and a sable of experienced talent when it comes to pass catchers. Marvin Mims was an unexpected star in 2020 and no as the sophomore takes the field as one of the top priorities for opposing defenses the opportunity for Mario Williams to excel at the position seems to be open. Keep in mind that Wease sat out the spring game with a leg injury and Williams, an early enrollee, caught five passes for 84 yards. Both of those were team highs and they show his potential as the Sooners now take the field four and a half months later.
Jadon Haselwood is entering the season 100% healthy for the first time since 2019. That year, as a true freshman, the former 5-star recruit averaged 14.3 yards per reception. The anticipation for the 2021 season is where it is anticipated that he will show out and become the star receiver fans expect him to be.
Arkansas transfer Mike Woods arrived on campus this summer as an already polished receiver. In three seasons he caught 83 passes for the Hogs, racking up 1,248 yards and 10 touchdowns. If there ever was a plug-and-play receiver for Lincoln Riley’s offense then it’s Mike Woods.
The thing is, we could keep going down the list of possibilities that Oklahoma has at receiver. I didn’t even mention Drake Stoops (25 receptions, 330 yards, 2 touchdowns last season), Austin Stogner (33 career receptions, 488 yards, 5 touchdowns) of Jeremiah Hall (36 career receptions, 423 yards, 8 touchdowns). All to prove that the Sooners have options for days.
Is the injury to Theo Wease a cause for concern? Absolutely. Hopefully he has a quick recovery and is back on the field before anyone expects him to be. Is it a cause for panic? Not in the least bit.
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