At the start of the 2024 season, the Sooners were poised to make a splash in their new conference.
They finished the previous season with a 10-3 record and 41.69 points per game. The team appeared ready for the challenge of a new conference thanks to a former five-star recruit as their starting quarterback, a talented wide receiver room and prominent leaders on defense returning for their last year. Then the season unfolded in a different way than many imagined it would: Oklahoma finished 6-6 (2-6 SEC), scored 24.33 points per game and finished 15 out of 16 in the conference in total offense.
The results of the season spurred many changes, including the firing of offensive coordinator Seth Littrell mid-season, the hiring of former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and the departure of many big names in the transfer portal. Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold transferred to Auburn. Senior wide receiver Jalil Farooq and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Nic Anderson also entered the portal after both were sidelined with injuries for most of the season.
Despite this, the Sooners are fixing their gaze on the upcoming Armed Forces Bowl against Navy on Dec. 27 in Fort Worth. The offense looks to finish the season on a high note, as it prepares to give a performance that can carry some momentum into 2025.
“(There are) a lot of new guys stepping up into new roles,” said freshman wide receiver Jacob Jordan about bowl game preparation. “It’s time to establish themselves as the guys going forward. It’s exciting.”
Jordan is familiar with the idea of jumping into a new role. After coming to Oklahoma as a preferred walk-on, the freshman was called upon to serve a big role against South Carolina on Oct. 19 as a result of a decimated receiving core. In the game, he recorded six receptions for 86 yards, contributing to a total of 207 yards and one touchdown on the season.
The Sooners are also going to be leaning heavily on another young player as freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr prepares to start against Navy.
“I’m excited to have him in the starting role. He’s stepped up to all the challenges he’s had,” Jordan said. “I just love how he approaches the game and his preparation. We’re riding behind him.”
Hawkins is well aware of how much he and his fellow freshmen on offense have had to work to fill in gaps this year and knows that the bowl game is just one more chance for them to refine themselves for next season.
“It’s a big opportunity for them and myself to connect with each other,” Hawkins said at media availability last Friday. “They’ve been playing the whole year. I don’t think it’s going to be anything new to them, knowing their role and knowing what to do…I think it’ll be a big game for those guys.”
A lot of freshmen are preparing to take on the roles left by those who have entered the transfer portal. However, they’ll have some guidance from the current leader of the wide receiver room, redshirt junior Deion Burks. Burks announced that he’d be returning to Oklahoma on Saturday, offering a sigh of relief after six receivers entered the portal.
On to the next chapter. pic.twitter.com/PgHh9g68tt
— 𝐃𝐞𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐬 (@deionkburks) December 14, 2024
“Easy decision. I just want to come back and leave the place better than I found it,” Burks said of his choice to stay. “Got great characters here. Coach (Venables), I believe in his plan…I believe in coach Emmet Jones.”
Burks was the go-to receiver early this season for the Sooners before suffering an injury against Tennessee on Sept. 21. He missed five games before returning in the matchup against Missouri on Nov. 9, where he was reinjured on a big hit. Despite missed time due to injuries, he finished third on the team in receiving yards and led the team in touchdowns (3). Now, Burks focuses on contributing in the bowl game.
“(Navy) is a great team,” Burks said. “A great team that you can’t ever overlook. They do a good job, very disciplined. They’re definitely going to score some points and give you different looks. They’ve got a good defense as well to go with that and complement it.”
The game against Navy signals the end of the chaotic 2024 football season and ushers in a newer, younger version of the team.. However, the offense welcomes the change and what the game will do for the young players.
“It’s very important to build their confidence going into 2025,” Burks said. “And just to see what they can do on the field. It’s their time.”
