Anthony left dream school ‘to win’ with Sooners
NORMAN — Andrel Anthony Jr. was ready to call it a night.
The Michigan wide receiver’s season had just came to an end on Dec. 31 with a loss to TCU in a 2022 College Football Playoff semifinal. While the rest of the team returned to campus, Anthony and his father stayed in Glendale, Arizona, after the Fiesta Bowl for a few extra days.
The two had a lot to think about. Anthony had been questioning his future with the Wolverines. And after talking things over with his family, he entered the transfer portal late on the night of Jan. 4. He and his father decided to get some sleep before assessing their options in the morning.
But before Anthony could even get into bed, he received a phone call. It was from OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who wanted Anthony and his family to come to Norman for a visit.
“Coach Lebby called me a minute after I entered the portal,” Anthony said. “It was crazy.”
Lebby’s phone call jumpstarted the recruitment of Anthony, who ultimately committed to OU on Jan. 10.
It was a process that began and ended in just six days. And while it happened fast, Anthony couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
“I love it,” Anthony said of his fit with OU. “It’s like a receiver’s dream to be in this offense. ... There’s no other fit that I could’ve asked for.”
The decision to transfer wasn’t an easy one for Anthony.
He grew up in Lansing, Michigan, a city that’s considered Michigan State’s territory. But Anthony was raised by his father to be a Wolverine, and he officially became one when he signed in 2020.
Anthony had a modest role in his first two seasons with Michigan.
The former three-star prospect caught 12 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman in 2021. He then caught seven passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in 2022.
Anthony made the most of his oppor
tunities, although he struggled to get many of them on a run-dominant Michigan offense. The Wolverines ranked first in the Big Ten in rushing yards during both seasons, leaving the passing game as an afterthought at times.
“We went there thinking it was going to be receiver friendly,” Andrel Anthony Sr. said. “But things change. The offense
changed. If he was a running back, he’d still be at Michigan. And that’s not knocking them. They’re doing a good job and winning.”
But as a wide receiver on a run-dominant offense, Anthony knew it was time to part ways with the team he grew up rooting for.
“I love Michigan,” Anthony said. “Michigan was my dream school growing up. It was especially hard for me, but I was just knowing this was something I’d have to do if I want to get to the next level.”
Anthony visited OU on Jan. 7, just three days after entering the transfer portal.
He and his family got the usual tour of the Sooners’ facilities. Everything was state of the arc, which is what they expected.
“Everyone has a nice weight room,” Anthony Sr. said. “It’s good that they have it. But if you go to any of the big colleges, all of them pretty much have the top-of-the-line weight room and nutrition staff. It’s all pretty much the same.”
But it was a film session with Lebby that really got the family’s attention.
Lebby broke down how Anthony would be used in OU’s offense, which is known for being as fast as any offense in the country. That style of play is an ideal fit for Anthony, a speedy receiver who can contribute both outside and in the slot.
“That was very intriguing,” Anthony said of Lebby’s pitch. “The fit overall is tremendous. ... I’m just somebody who’s going to come in and work day in and day out. I’m somebody who this team can count on to make a play or step up whenever needed.”
OU will take Anthony up on that offer.
The Sooners are in need of playmaking wide receivers following the departure of Marvin Mims, who got selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round (No. 63 overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Anthony figures to be one of the top receiving options on an OU team that hopes to improve after going 6-7 (3-6 Big 12) last season.
It’s a drastic change from his time with Michigan, although Anthony doesn’t pay much attention to previous records. After being a Wolverine his whole life, he’s ready to begin his time as a Sooner.
“I came here to win a National Championship, make plays and contribute to the team,” Anthony said. “I didn’t come here to go (6-7), so my goal in my head is to help this team do whatever it needs to do.”