The Oklahoma Sooners offense got off to an explosive start at the spring game on Saturday, despite resting a good portion of their offensive playmakers. Returning wide receivers Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, and Andrel Anthony all sat the game out. As did third year running back Jovantae Barnes. But that didn't hold new starting quarterback Jackson Arnold back at all.
In fact, it just gave Arnold the perfect opportunity to showcase his new favorite shiny transfer wide receiver from Purdue, Deion Burks. On just six drives of first team offense Arnold and Burks connected for six receptions, 174 yards, and two massive touchdowns (64 and 50 yards, respectively). And on those six drives, the first team offense as a whole scored three total touchdowns and two field goals, moving down the field at will.
Arnold came right out and started launching the ball deep on the first drive. His first pass attempt just barely overshot Jayden Gibson, which would have gone for a score. But then almost immediately after that, Arnold uncorked a beautiful shot deep for a touchdown to Burks (as you can see in the post below).
There may have been a slight miscommunication on the defense, but that doesn't change the fact that Arnold dropped it right in the bucket for Burks at full speed. Just a gorgeous throw.
After that, Burks simply could not be stopped. Arnold hit him on two intermediate crossers behind the linebackers that showed their obvious chemistry. Burks also added some easy yards after catch on a screen too. It didn't matter where he lined up or what route he was running, he was just always open. And Burks was especially open on the best throw and catch of the day, a 50-yard bomb on a post from Arnold to cap their fourth drive together.
The Oklahoma offense wasn't all perfect though. Outside of Burks, the wide receivers were--putting it nicely--uninspiring.
Jackson Arnold's final stat line of 10/20 passing for 233 yards and two passing touchdowns should have been much better. Jayden Gibson, J.J. Hester, and Jaquaize Pettaway all had drops that could have gone for big gains. Gibson did make a nice grab off a deflection late in the game, and Pettaway looked to be playing a fun gadget role using his speed in space. Trey Brown took a short catch for 35 yards against the bottom of the roster defenders late too. But overall non-Burks receivers were less than impressive.
The good news is that Burks is probably the only receiver from Saturday's action who sees much action at all this year. He and Nic Anderson should become one of the deadliest duos in Oklahoma Sooners history. Jalil Farooq and Andrel Anthony should provide some explosive play as well. When that solid set of four wide receivers are paired with a deep running back room led by Gavin Sawchuk (who also played incredibly well on Saturday) it's clear that the 2024 Oklahoma Sooners are going to have an explosive offense once again.
Be looking for more Oklahoma Sooners coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to see what kind of player Deion Burks is going to be for the Sooners just check out some of his Purdue highlights in the video below!
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