2010 Oklahoma Football Preview: Receivers/Tight Ends

Oklahoma's offense features one of the most explosive receivers in the country in junior Ryan Broyles but quarterback Landry Jones needs another threat on the edge to push the Sooner passing attack over the edge. Jason White had Mark Clayton and Brandon Jones, Sam Bradford had Manny Johnson and Juaquin Iglesias and now Landry Jones has Ryan Broyles and .............?

Oklahoma Receivers And Ends Two Deep

The latest depth chart actually has Cameron Kenney ahead of Dejuan Miller but I'm calling bull on that one. After seeing how these two guy's seasons went in opposite directions last year I just can't see Kenney in that spot over Miller. I think he'll make it onto the field quite often, just don't see him starting over Miller.

Kenney actually started six games last season and had his best performance against Miami with with six receptions for 72 yards. The problem was that game was the pentacle of his season and he just faded from there. Miller on the other hand came on strong as the season progressed. After working his way into the (Didn't earn a start until the Baylor game) he turned into a pretty reliable second option to Broyles. Against Kansas State he hauled in nine receptions for 94 yards and a score and in the Sun Bowl he caught six passes for 84 yards. My thought is that Miller has the better body and the better skill set. He'll be the guy covering up the slot on day one.

What about the other end of the field though? That's where we find our future play maker! Freshman Kenny Stills has had a phenomenal camp and is very much looking to start game one. The freshman receiver form California has turned enough heads that Oklahoma coaches are thinking he can keep a safety from cheating over and putting a double-team on Broyles or Miller. Oh, they're gonna try but it'll be Stills job to make them pay. If he can do that then Landry Jones has a shot at a record breaking season. If he can't then we're going to see more woes in the passing game. 

In the absence of Jermaine Gresham last year Oklahoma's tight ends were mostly extra blockers. That was until the Sun Bowl game when Trent Ratterree racked up 86 receiving yards. The former walk-on has proven himself to be one of the (if not the) hardest working players on the team and had flat out beaten the better hyped prospect in James Hannah. The Sooners need Ratterree to continue to be a strong blocker on the edge for them to help the rushing attack get started but they also need him to have sure hands inside the red zone and on those critical third downs.