2009 OU Football Preview: Receivers/Tight Ends

Juaquin Iglesias, Quentin Chaney and Manny Johnson are all gone which leaves Adron Tennell as Oklahoma’s lone senior receiver and Ryan Broyles as OU’s leading receiver. Much like the offensive line the situation isn’t a dire as it may seem on the surface. Oklahoma is still very deep and talented at the receiver position they just lack experience. Broyles is a proven game breaker and Tennell had a terrific spring. Behind them are some young guys in Jameel Owens and Dejuan Miller who were both highly recruited and experienced some game action last season. Also, the x-factor in Oklahoma’s receivers in JUCO transfer Cameron Kenny who is supposed to bring the same game breaking ability that Broyles provides. He wasn’t on campus for the spring but we should get a feeling for him shortly after summer workouts begin. Also, the biggest move in the spring was Mossis Madu jumping from running back to receiver.  

At the tight end spot there isn’t a team in the country that has an advantage over the Sooners. Jermaine Gresham is literally an unstoppable force because of his size and speed. He’s too quick for a linebacker to cover and too big for a defensive back to cover which creates a constant mismatch giving Sam Bradford a target that will almost always be open.

Receivers

#85 Ryan Broyles, So – Last season Broyles set the record for receiving yards by a Sooner freshman and tied in catches. In his first game, against Cincinnati, he recorded 7 catches for 141 yards. Broyles caught touchdown passes against Washington, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.

#8 Brandon Caleb, Jr – Caught 4 passes for 52 yards in `08.

#6 Cameron Kenny, Jr – Was ranked as the #3 JUCO receiver and #16 JUCO player in the country last year by Rivals.

#17 Mossis Madu, Jr – Madu moves to the slot position after spending the last two years as a reserve running back. In last season’s Big 12 Championship Game he ran for 114 yards and scored three touchdowns while filling in for DeMarco Murray. Madu caught 12 passes last season for 84 yards.

#24 Dejuan Miller, So – Played in six games in `08. Caught 2 passes for 14 yards.

#4 Jameel Owens, So – Owens saw action in 9 games as a true freshman last season. He caught 4 passes for 44 yards.

#80 Adron Tennell, Sr – Played in 12 games in `08 and recorded 9 receptions for 68 yards.

Tight End

#83 Brody Eldridge, Sr – Split time between fullback and tight end in `08. Caught 4 passes for 24 yards and 1 touchdown.

#18 Jermaine Gresham, Sr – Was an All Big 12 first team player by the coaches last season and second team All American by the AP. Ranked second on the team in receptions (66) and in receiving yards (950). His 950 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns were both the most ever in a season by a Sooner tight end.

#82 James Hannah, So – Was a reserve in `08 and only caught one pass.

#88 Eric Mensik, Jr – Played in 4 games in `08.

#47 Trent Ratterree, So – Recorded no stats in `08.