A surge of hype surrounded the Sooners heading in to the 2014 season following their Sugar Bowl win over Alabama.
Senior receiver Durron Neal remembers the high expectations a year ago, but the lofty predictions prompted distractions.
“A lot of people had us going to the playoffs (last season) and I feel like that can take your focus off the main goal,” Neal said. “Coming in with a low ranking, it’s good motivation, because it’ll help everybody hold each other accountable.”
The Sooners are ranked No. 19 in the Coaches Poll to begin the season, but Neal feels more relaxed than ever.
He was one of the top wide receivers in the country coming out of high school, but Neal’s accrued a mere 764 receiving yards, 58 catches and three touchdown receptions in three seasons.
Neal didn’t become a starter until his junior season, but he’s excited for the chance to play in a new system in his final year at Oklahoma and display more of his capabilities.
“I’m blessed to have this opportunity with Coach Riley and this offense,” Neal said. “It’s going to help me show my skillset for this team and make big plays for them.”
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley’s new air raid offense wasn’t a tough transition for Neal.
The St. Louis, Missouri, native quickly picked up Riley’s offense and he feels it’s a system open to everyone to make plays.
“This offense allows you to be relaxed and have fun,” Neal said. “This being my last year, I’m not putting pressure on myself and going out and competing with my brothers.”
The mentality for Neal this season is simply to be a playmaker. The senior receiver said he hears criticism about himself, but he’s blocking out the negativity.
As an upperclassman, Neal realizes he’s now a mentor to the younger guys. But it wasn’t too long ago Neal was being groomed by former Oklahoma standouts Kenny Stills and Justin Brown.
“Those guys helped me out tremendously,” Neal said. “They showed me the ropes and now I’m just doing the same for these guys.”
In his fourth and final season, Neal is now trying to lead by example. He’s trying to cut down the mental errors, but move on from them when they do occur.
Neal said it will be good to get a fresh start following Oklahoma’s disappointing end to its 2014 run. However, he appears confident in Oklahoma’s offense to be lethal during his senior campaign.
“This offense is going to allow everyone to get touches,” Neal said. “If you focus in on one part, the other part is going to kill you. You just got to pick your poison.”
