Oklahoma needs more pass-catchers to step up on offense
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Oklahoma needs more pass-catchers to step up on offense
Aaron Gelvin, Sooners Wire·Sooners Wire
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5 min read
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TheOklahoma Soonershave had their share of struggles on offense this season, but they hopea thrilling win over the Texas Longhorns last weekcan help build their confidence on that side of the ball moving forward. Now, OU heads back home to face the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night.
Oklahoma still has room for improvement on offense. One area that would benefit the unit is a more diverse, unpredictable passing game. As the offense struggles to run the ball and has largely struggled up front on the offensive line, a good passing game could help to offset those issues. However, the Sooners rely extremely heavily on a small number of players.
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At wide receiver, the conversation centers around Isaiah Sategna III. He is OU's most dynamic weapon, and it's been that way for two straight years. Sategna is the go-to player for the Sooner offense, and he atoned for a quiet afternoon against Texas with two huge catches on the final drive to set up the game-winning field goal. He's a reliable and explosive piece of the offense, and Oklahoma needs him.
However, the Sooners need more wideouts to step up alongside Sategna. One player who looked ready to fit that bill was Trell Harris, but he was injured in the second game of the season. He will miss significant time, which is a big blow for OU.
The Sooners have a variety of other of wide receivers, and at least one of them stepping up would benefit the offense. There are sophomores that the coaching staff has been really high on: Elijah Thomas and Manny Choice. Thomas was banged up against Georgia but caught a pass against theLonghorns. Choice got his first significant action against Texas, catching two passes for 10 yards in the second half.
Transfer options that had strong offseasons for the Sooners who have yet to break out include Mackenzie Alleyne and Parker Livingstone. Returning veterans who haven't played much but might be effective with more opportunity include Jer'Michael Carter, Jacob Jordan, and Ivan Carreon.
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One player who could've broken into the rotation was freshman Jahsiear Rogers, buthe was dismissed from the teamlast week. The Sooners still have three freshman wideouts, Daniel Odom, Xavier Okwufulueze, and Jayden Petit, so one of them may take the leap in the second half of this season.
Thomas has seen the most action of the healthy receivers outside of Sategna, with Alleyne and Livingstone also receiving increased workloads after Harris' injury. The coaching staff wants to get Choice more involved, and Carter was a solid contributor last season. Whoever steps up at WR is something the Sooners could really use going forward.
The same can be said at tight end. Rocky Beers has been an impressive pass-catcher in his first season as a Sooner, and he's become a featured weapon for the offense. Of OU's 91 completed passes this year, Sategna and Beers account for more than half, with 47 receptions. Running back Lloyd Avant has the third-most receptions on the team with eight.
While Hayden Hansen gets plenty of snaps, he's primarily used as a blocking tight end. He's had a few important catches for the Sooners this year, and is an option when Beers gets a lot of attention from defenses. Jack Van Dorselaer is also mainly a blocker when he's on the field, as he hasn't yet registered a catch as a Sooner. The same goes for Trynae Washington, who occasionally plays fullback/h-back in addition to his tight end role.
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With both Van Dorselaer and Washington missing the Texas game and nursing injuries, perhaps there's an opportunity for another tight end to earn a place in the rotation. John Locke Jr. and Kade McIntyre are veterans, while sophomore CJ Nicksonswitched positions from defensive lineman to tight endright before this season. Depending on the health of the room going forward, having a pass-catching option outside of Beers and a blocking option outside of Hansen would be beneficial for the Sooners.
Regardless if it comes at wide receiver or tight end, Oklahoma needs more diversity in its passing game. Sategna and Beers account for half of OU's receiving touchdowns and well over half of its receiving yards (Harris is third on the team in receiving yards, despite playing in two out of five games). That can't continue, as defenses will be doing everything they can to take that duo out of the picture. Despite an exciting win, the Sooners still have plenty to figure out on offense. Part of that list includes finding more reliable targets in the aerial attack.
OU receiving stats through five games in 2026
WR Isaiah Sategna III: 25 receptions for 331 yards and 2 touchdowns
TE Rocky Beers: 22 receptions for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns
RB Lloyd Avant: 8 receptions for 47 yards
WR Trell Harris: 6 receptions for 104 yards and 1 touchdown(in two games)
WR Parker Livingstone: 6 receptions for 51 yards
TE Hayden Hansen: 5 receptions for 74 yards and 1 touchdown
WR Elijah Thomas: 5 receptions for 49 yards
WR Mackenzie Alleyne: 4 receptions for 40 yards and 1 touchdown
WR Manny Choice: 3 receptions for 24 yards and 1 touchdown
RB Xavier Robinson: 3 receptions for 18 yards(in four games)
RB Jonathan Hatton Jr.: 2 receptions for 13 yards(in four games)
RB Tory Blaylock: 2 receptions for 9 yards(in four games)
Current TeamTotal: 91 receptions for 1,044 yards and 8 touchdowns
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables walks with players before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Powers III (3) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive line Hero Kanu (93) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Preston Tarpley (33) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) celebrates with offensive line Noah Best (52) after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Markel Ford (5) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma celebrates a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first half Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive line Alex January (97) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Tory Blaylock (6) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; An Oklahoma Sooners cheerleader looks on during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to pass against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Trent Wilson (90) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) leads the team on the field for warm ups before the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners pom squad/cheer members pose for a photo before the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) kicks a game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) runs to score a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) runs against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) rides the Sooner Schooner as he celebrates after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates with his teammates and the Golden Hat after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) while wearing the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) waves to the crowd after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) wears the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) wears the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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