Brenen Thompson, Jaquaize Pettaway add speed to OU WR room
ARLINGTON, Texas – Arguably, the biggest question mark for OU heading into the 2023 season is at wide receiver. There are a ton of guys in the room, but nobody knows who is going to emerge.
And nobody knows how first-year receivers coach Emmett Jones is going to put his stamp on the room and help in the development department.
There are a lot of strong pieces, it seems, but OU was lacking something coming out of spring practice. The Sooners needed that guy who can stretch the field, needed that speed.
OU knew one would be coming along with true freshman Jaquaize Pettaway arriving in June. However, the Sooners felt the transfer portal could alleviate some issues, too.
Yesterday’s rival is today’s friend, and OU was able to land former Texas speedster Brenen Thompson post-spring. Thompson only had one catch last season for the Longhorns.
“Brenen Thompson is a guy that’s got world-class speed,” said head coach Brent Venables on Thursday afternoon at Big 12 media days. “I’m anxious to get a chance to see him on the practice field and what we can do with him in our offense.
“A guy that I know a lot of people around college football thought a lot of coming out of Spearman High School, so he brings a tremendous skill set and his best football is still in front of him.”
Jaquaize Pettaway
Pettaway was a massive win for offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby. He was ranked No. 87 overall by the industry composite. From Houston Langham Creek, his ability is something that clearly has Venables excited about preseason camp.
“Really excited about Jaquaize Pettaway,” Venables said. “To me, there’s nothing he can’t do. I think he can play inside. He can play outside.
“A tremendous, explosive athlete that also has tremendous football instincts and football awareness that’s gonna help transition him quickly. He’s an over-deliverer, a guy that loves to practice, loves to compete, loves to play. He’ll help us, is my expectation, this year.”
It was sort of the theme from OU throughout this offseason process. You need one piece, but you don’t get one guy. You want speed, but you bring in two legitimate options. Keep building that competitive depth at every single position.
It doesn’t appear as if OU can go wrong with either Pettaway or Thompson. And OU’s ability to stretch the field and ‘score from far’ is going to be very necessary in 2023.
