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When the 2023 season ended, the Oklahoma Sooners were sitting pretty at the wide receiver position heading into the offseason. Despite the loss of Drake Stoops, who led the Sooners in receiving, Oklahoma’s wide receiver depth chart was stacked.
Two-year starter Jalil Farooq was returning for 2024. So were Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony, and Jayden Gibson, who experienced breakout seasons. The Sooners had four-star wideout Jaquaize Pettaway ready to compete for an expanded role and signed a really good group of receivers in the 2024 recruiting class.
But that depth didn’t stop Brent Venables, Seth Littrell, Joe Jon Finley, and wide receivers coach Emmett Jones from taking advantage of an opportunity to add another dynamic wide receiver to the group. In the Oklahoma Sooners spring game on Saturday, Deion Burks gave us a glimpse of what he’s capable of.
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Throwin' darts
@_JacksonArnold_ x @deionkburks pic.twitter.com/Ro0MTuM7ux— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) April 20, 2024
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The former Purdue transfer finished the day with five receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns came on 64 and 50-yard scoring strikes from Jackson Arnold. But he wasn’t just a big-play special, Burks showed the ability to win in the short and intermediate areas of the field.
What he does on the field is only because of the work he’s put in off the field.
“Probably the best thing he does is his work ethic,” Brent Venables shared with the media after the game. “He’s wide open when it comes to practice and his passion for the game, he’s incredibly competitive. He helps the guys he’s lined up against and the guys next to him as well.
“So, he’s been fantastic. Great playmaker. He’s got tremendous speed and quickness. He’s got great hands. …. He’s really done a great job of learning what to do and transitioning that within our system.”
The Sooners already had a dynamic group of players to work with at wide receiver heading into 2024. But Burks adds another element with his speed, athleticism, and quickness. Taking over in the slot for Stoops, Burks showed he’s going to be a force for the Sooners.
It was evident in the game that Burks and first-year starting quarterback Jackson Arnold had developed a strong rapport. With so many key pieces out of spring ball, Burks dazzled during open media sessions. To hear Arnold tell it, the two developed instant chemistry.
“This connection came pretty fast,” Arnold said. “The first couple weeks of spring, I was throwing touchdowns to him and he was playing his butt off. … Deion’s special, a special player,” Arnold said. “He’s one of the fastest kids I’ve thrown too. He knows how to get open with great route running and he showed the ability today and I’m so proud of him.”
Burks stole the show in the first half on Saturday. And when the Sooners get to the regular season, he’ll steal the attention of opposing defensive coordinators looking to contain Oklahoma’s newest big-play threat.
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By: John Williams
Title: Deion Burks shows potential to be special in Sooners spring game
Sourced From: soonerswire.usatoday.com/2024/04/21/oklahoma-sooners-football-deion-burks-spring-game-jackson-arnold-brent-venables/
Published Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 18:23:26 +0000
