Oklahoma State's 'freak show' wide receiver room is poised for strong season
- Alyssa Brandon, Staff Reporter, @LyssaBrandon
- Aug 23, 2024
Everyone is aware that running back at OSU is a historically high-prowess position.
The man with the illustrious zero on the back of his jersey has recently made sure of it.
This year, however, it's the wide receiver group that’s looking to put itself on the map, joining the likes of the great Cowboy receivers — Justin Blackmon, Hart Lee Dykes, Rashaun Woods and more.
De’Zhaun Stribling, one of many OSU veteran weapons set to return to the position, attested to this when asked about the growing depth around him.
“There's so many guys that I can’t just say one person or two," Stribling said. “You know, our depth on the freak show is very good, and those guys are making plays and stepping out.”
Laughs emerged as Stribling inserted variations of the word “freak” into his comments over and over again; however, the point he was trying to make was nothing to snicker at.
The depth and talent the Cowboys are returning at wide receiver are freaky. Not only do the offense return guys like Brennan Presley, who’s fourth in OSU career receptions, and breakout wideout Rashod Owens, but new transfers have entered the depth chart and are turning heads.
“G-Freaky, Gavin (Freeman), he’s doing great, putting his time in, getting familiar with all the plays. So is (Da'Wain) Lofton," Stribling said.
Freeman, better known as "G-Freaky," has done some “freaky” things prior to his arrival in Stillwater. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound pass-catcher spent his first two seasons on the field across Bedlam lines as a Sooner before transferring to OSU this offseason.
Lofton, the second recent addition to the position group, has had a couple sparks of his own. In three years at Virginia Tech, the senior totaled 410 yards on 35 receptions, along with three touchdowns.
Even though Freeman and Lofton aren’t starting, a veteran presence stashed in the depth chart seems to be a comfort to those up front.
Whether this “freak show” wide receiver room is legitimate or not still remains to be seen. But a proven veteran presence and guys waiting in the wings to fill in where needed are brewing excitement for the upcoming season.
“With the new receivers that came in, especially with having veterans and veterans that have experience and playing over the years of college football…it’s very helpful,” Owens said. “It almost looks like they’ve been here too."
sports.ed@ocolly.com
