Crimson Countdown: No. 5 Andrel Anthony
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2023 Oklahoma football season. It’s the second season under head coach Brent Venables and expectations are high once again. The Sooners are looking to rebound from the uncharacteristic 6-7 season in 2022.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 5 Andrel Anthony
2022 stats: 7 receptions, 80 yards, 1 touchdown.
2023 outlook: A transfer from Michigan, Anthony arrives in Norman with high expectations. The speedy wide receiver is expected to be one of Oklahoma’s deep-ball threats in 2023, helping replace Marvin Mims. Anthony didn’t have a lot of production at Michigan, but many believe that’s due to the style of offense the Wolverines run. With the Sooners, Anthony is already impressing, hauling in multiple long touchdown grabs in scrimmages.
“It’s been a big adjustment just coming from Michigan,” Anthony said. “Like, we didn’t have the choices like we do here, so just getting an understanding and better IQ of the offense and just knowing defensive coverages more. Coach (Emmett) Jones really has helped me with understanding the game a lot more, just being more than a receiver, being a complete football player. That’s where you can use the leverage to kind of manipulate them, and that helps with routes as well.”
2023 wide receiver outlook
Wide receiver is the biggest question mark for the Oklahoma offense heading into 2023. Marvin Mims, who led OU in receiving the last three seasons, is gone and the Sooners are searching for a new playmaker. Junior Jalil Farooq is the assumed replacement as OU’s second leading receiver in 2022. But there’s a host of unproven talent in the mix too, including Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony, redshirt junior LV Bunkley-Shelton and redshirt freshman Nic Anderson, among others. New receivers coach Emmett Jones will have his hands full with the group, as the expectations are high.
