Drake Stoops was undoubtedly one of the best players on the Oklahoma football team last season. However, his combination of size and speed has questioned his fit at the next level. The former walk-on turned star for the Sooners has worked tirelessly leading to next April’s draft, including partaking in the East-West Shrine Bowl and its pregame activities. Stoops has gained massive traction by media outlets and scouts during this week’s drill, including catching the eye of Pro Football Network.
Drake Stoops Gathering Huge Praise From Scouts
Stoops, last year’s receiving leader for Oklahoma football, enters his draft prep as a potential undrafted free agent. NFL Mock Draft Database projects the son of former Oklahoma Sooners head coach as a UDFA, but he has turned heads during this week’s leadup to the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Drake Stoops has been one of the big standouts so far at the Shrine Bowl.
Via Pro Football Network: “Through the first two days, the Oklahoma Sooner has put together an eye-opening body of work that should positively impact his 2024 NFL Draft stock.” pic.twitter.com/uPAeIO7Ony
— The REF (@KREFsports) January 29, 2024
Pro Football Network wrote a rave review about Stoops, saying, “On Day 2, his play was too exciting to ignore. The shifty wide receiver looked smooth in and out of his breaks, had lightning-quick releases off the line, and drew a lot of eyes from scouts and players alike for his 1v1 work.”
They continued, saying, “The Oklahoma Sooner has put together an eye-opening body of work that should positively impact his 2024 NFL draft stock.”
Stoops has shinned at the Shrine Bowl, dominating in one-on-one drills. He has used his elite route-running ability to beat faster defensive backs in short, intermediate, and deep routes. He has also made tough contested catches in team pass drills.
Oklahoma’s Drake Stoops has really popped at the East-West Shrine Bowl with his route running ability. Stem work here creates so much separation. pic.twitter.com/6E4wB4CdYb
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 29, 2024
Oklahoma Football: Replacing Drake Stoops in 2024
The Oklahoma Sooners will need to replace the production of Drake Stoops next season. The sixth-year senior had 84 receptions, 962 yards, and ten touchdowns for Brent Venables in 2023.
Freshman star Nic Anderson and speedster Jalil Farooq will take on more prominent roles next season. Anderson caught 39 passes for 698 yards and ten touchdowns en route to FWAA Freshman All-American honors. Meanwhile, Farooq had 45 receptions for 694 yards and two scores. The Sooners also have former top recruit Jayden Gibson on the roster. He snagged 14 catches for 375 yards last year. OU will also have a new signal-caller next season with the transfer of star quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Freshman phenom Jackson Arnold will lead the offense next fall.
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