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More receiving options, less star power for Oklahoma
- Updated: April 21, 2016
8:15 PM ET
There will be an unfamiliar feel as Oklahoma’s offense takes the field this fall.
For the first time in four years, the Sooners won’t have Sterling Shepard to lean on in their passing attack. The 2012 UnderArmour All-American capped off his stellar collegiate career with 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. Shepard finished his career with 233 receptions for 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns in 50 career games (41 starts).
As Oklahoma aims to return to the College Football Playoff for a second straight season, the No. 1 receiver spot is a top priority for offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley. Yet, Oklahoma may not end up with a bonafide No. 1 target. The Sooners don’t have a game-changing talent like Shepard, but Riley fully expects the group as a whole to be better during his second season in Norman.
“I’d be very disappointed if we’re not better,” Riley said. “It’s the second year [in this offense] for those guys.”
Shepard was the unquestioned focus of the passing game in 2015. He was targeted 119 times, with his 20 third-down receptions leading the Big 12 and his 30 third-down targets ranking fourth in the conference. The Oklahoma City native led the Sooners with a 72.3 receptions percentage and 2.5 drop percentage, making him a quarterback’s best friend, …
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