The Oklahoman

Breaking down the Sooners' wide recievers, tight end and fullbacks,

- Ryan Aber, Staff writer

NORMAN—No position for the Sooner sis as loaded as the receiver spots. Not only does Oklahoma return CeeDee Lamb, but a handful of other impact player sf rom last season as well as three five-star freshmen receivers and one big-time tight end recruit. Here's a look at the Sooners' receivers, tight ends and fullbacks:

Starters Receivers

Nick Basquine (RSr., 5-11, 202)

CeeDee Lamb (Jr., 6-2, 191) Charleston Rambo (RSo., 6-1, 175)

Tight end/Y receiver Grant Calcaterra (Jr., 6-4, 233)

Fullback

Jeremiah Hall (RSo., 6-2, 246)

Key backups Receivers

Trejan Bridges (Fr., 6-1, 184)

Jaquayln Crawford (RFr., 5-10, 175)

Jadon Haselwood (Fr., 6-2, 206)

Mykel Jones (RJr., 5-11, 191)

A.D. Miller (RSr., 6-3, 194) Drake Stoops (RFr., 5-9, 181)

Theo Wease (Fr., 6-3, 201)

Tight end/Y receiver

Lee Morris (RSr., 6-2, 215) Austin Stogner (Fr., 6-6. 237)

Fullback

Brayden Willis (So., 6-3, 235)

Scouting ahead

This season: While Lamb is a definite starter at one of the outside receiver spots, there' s plenty else that' s up for grabs. Rambo had a memorable touchdown catch in the Orange Bowl and seems primed for a breakout year after easing into the rotation last season. Basqui ne was slow to return to the mix after returning from a pair of Achilles injuries, but he played a bigger role at the end of last season and was granted another year of eligibilit­y this summer. The most intriguing thing to watch will be the role soft he three freshman phenoms Bridges, Haselwood and Wease. While Calcaterra might be the clear choice as the starting

tight end/ Y receiver, a couple of other players figure to find a place as well there. Former walk-on Morris was one of Kyler Murray's favorite targets and has had a strong showing in preseason camp. Then there's freshman Austin Stogner, who is more of a traditiona­l tight end but can create matchup problems with his size and speed. At fullback, Hall and Willis are working to fill the gap left by the departure of Carson Meier from last year' s team.

The future: Lamb is almost sure to depart for the NFL after this season, bar ring an injury or a regression, which doesn' t seem likely. He's considered by many to be a probable

first-round pick in next year's draft. Calcaterra could be a possibilit­y as well. The Sooners al so lose Basquine, Miller and Morris after the season. But there' s plenty of depth here, with at least one or two of the freshmen blooming into major contributo­rs quickly. Oklahoma's 2020 class has the commitment of one receiver — three-star Trevon West — as well asa couple other athletes who could wind up as wide receivers. Brian Darby could be a receiver or defensive back at the next level, while Davon Graham II is more likely to be a receiver in college. There' s also Michael Henderson, who figures to fall into the Hall/Willis mold at the H-back spot.

 ??  ?? Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Big 12 Championsh­ip game vs. Texas last December at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Lamb could leave the Sooners after this season for the NFL. [BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN]
Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Big 12 Championsh­ip game vs. Texas last December at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Lamb could leave the Sooners after this season for the NFL. [BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN]

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