The Oklahoma Sooners’ wide receiver depth was decimated by injuries in 2024, with their top five players missing most or all of the season. Not only did they miss significant time last year, but several also entered the transfer portal, among others. The Sooners overhauled the position in the offseason, adding five receivers in the portal, including an HBCU standout.
The Oklahoma Sooners landed an HBCU standout
Javonnie Gibson committed to the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils for the 2022 season and recorded 28 receptions for 403 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, his redshirt freshman campaign. He transferred to the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions in 2024, where he broke out and earned Second-Team All-FCS honors. Gibson hauled in 70 receptions for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns.
Gibson sustained a broken leg during spring practices and underwent surgery. Many wondered whether he would be ready for the start of fall camp.
Oklahoma Sooners’ key transfer gets a positive update
During SEC Media Days, Brent Venables provided a positive injury update on Javonnie Gibson, via Ryan Chapman of Sports Illustrated. The head coach shared that the former HBCU standout is no longer in a walking boot and is progressing way ahead of schedule. Once Gibson is close to 100%, Venables will give an update, and he should be ready for the start of the regular season.
“He’s out of the boot and he’s on schedule,” Venables said, via Chapman.
“When I know definitely when he’s full speed practicing or anybody else along that way, I’ll let you guys know. But there’s a progression to everybody when it goes through an injury. Where, OK, he’s back but he’s not 100 percent yet and you’re kind of working him back into, you know, a routine. … But he’s out of his boot.”
