Oklahoma Sooners Lose Wide Receiver Through Transfer Portal.
Gavin Freeman, an Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver, has announced his intention to join the transfer portal after two seasons in Norman.
Freeman entered to OU as a walk-on from Heritage Hall (OK), following in the footsteps of his father, Jason Freeman, a former Sooners tight end.
Despite not being on scholarship, Freeman established a decent role for himself during his true freshman year. He appeared in 13 games, catching three passes for 46 yards and rushing seven times for 71 yards and a touchdown.
The quick-footed wideout made an impressive debut against UTEP in the 2022 season opener, scoring a touchdown on his first collegiate touch with a 46-yard rush to the end zone while avoiding multiple tackles.
Following a strong rookie season, Freeman received a scholarship and an enlarged role in 2023. Standing at 5-foot-8, he had 19 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown, in addition to five carries for 20 yards.
During his second season, Freeman had a good offensive grade of 64.2 from Pro Football Focus and played 142 offensive snaps. In addition, he became OU’s primary punt returner, fielding 18 punts for 122 return yards and one touchdown.
Freeman demonstrated his explosive playmaking ability in Oklahoma’s season opener against Arkansas State by returning a punt 82 yards for a touchdown, highlighting his remarkable speed and agility. His lone receiving touchdown of the season also came in the same game against the Red Wolves.
However, despite his outstanding performance against ASU, Freeman struggled as a returner during the season, mishandling several punts in critical moments. One such case occurred against TCU, when a fumbled ball gave the Horned Frogs control in the red zone, resulting in a touchdown for the visiting side.
Overall, PFF gave Freeman a special teams grade of 58.8 for his contributions during the 2023 season.
While Freeman’s decision to enter the transfer portal may surprise some, the Oklahoma Sooners’ wide receiver squad is loaded with talent and promises tough competition throughout fall camp.
With players like Nic Anderson, Jayden Gibson, Brenen Thompson, Andrel Anthony, Jalil Farooq, and Jaquaize Pettaway, as well as the arrival of Deion Burks, wide receivers coach Emmett Jones has a plethora of quality alternatives at his disposal inside the position.
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