Oklahoma Sooners' WR Mario Williams earns ESPN All-Freshman honors

Sooners’ wideout Mario Williams has been named to ESPN’s 2021 preseason true freshman All-America team (subscription required). A consensus four-star recruit from Tampa, Florida, Williams cracks ESPN’s list just three days after being named to 247Sports’ true freshman team.

The attention Williams is receiving is well deserved. The first year Sooner has spent training camp carving his way into an offense that also features Marvin Mims (a member of ESPN’s 2020 preseason true freshman All-American team – subscription), Theo Wease, and a healthy Austin Stogner.

While his exact role within such a talented offense is yet to be determined, Lincon Riley’s track record with true freshmen receivers has earned the benefit of the doubt.

feet in.@MarioWill00 #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/6RqA90fgGW

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) August 6, 2021

Although he’s tied with Major Nelson as the smallest receiver on the roster, Williams possesses tremendous field awareness. He finished his career at Plant City High School with 41 touchdowns. Receivers don’t post those numbers without knowing how to work the sideline.

Williams will attract attention no matter where he lines up on the field. This is great news for Oklahoma’s more established receivers.

The route concepts that Lincoln Riley could insert him into should be terrifying for OU’s opponents to think about. A safety or corner covering Williams on an out-breaking route will have to blanket him all the way through the sideline, rendering them unable to help with Mims or Wease in the middle of the field.

The Sooners have made a habit of getting production out of freshman pass catchers over the years. They’re primed to continue that trend into 2021 and beyond.

Just yesterday, the Oklahoma Sooners secured a commitment from five-star prospect Brandon Innis. Innis, like Williams, is also from Florida and is ranked the No. 1 receiver in the class of 2023 by ESPN and Rivals.

The Oklahoma Sooners are deep at the wide receiver position, but with the way he’s impressed in spring and fall camp, Mario Williams may force his way onto the field in 2021.

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By: Jay Attal
Title: Oklahoma Sooners' WR Mario Williams earns ESPN All-Freshman honors
Sourced From: soonerswire.usatoday.com/2021/08/23/oklahoma-sooners-football-mario-williams-true-freshman-all-american-2021/
Published Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2021 21:43:16 +0000

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