In Oklahoma’s lengthy line of playmakers on the surface, Jalil Farooq might be slowly positioning himself to star within the workforce’s future offensive schemes.
Despite uncommon drops in Saturday’s win over Oklahoma State, the sophomore reeled in his third landing of the season on a 30-yard strike from Dillon Gabriel.
Now that the Sooners are bowl eligible, the offense will get a much-needed further recreation to generate momentum heading into subsequent 12 months. For a participant like Farooq, who appears to be on the verge of a breakout, the final two video games of the season might be an enormous alternative to show he’s prepared for the highlight.
The proficient playmaker has been Oklahoma’s gadget participant all season.
When the brand new teaching workers took over final January, maintaining Farooq was an apparent precedence, particularly after his shut buddy Caleb Williams transferred. It’s clear why the large receiver was on the high of OU’s checklist, as he’s crammed many alternative roles on the sphere all through the autumn.
“I feel like my role has evolved by me just being a playmaker,” Farooq mentioned after Oklahoma’s late-October win over Iowa State. “Just taking advantage of any opportunity I have — me getting handoffs, me catching and running, anything that I can do to help the team, that’s what I’m trying to do and that’s what the coaches are using me for, a role player, so that’s what I need to be.”
On the 12 months, Farooq has registered 29 catches for 387 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to his work as a receiver, he’s additionally tallied 12 carries for 113 yards and serves because the workforce’s major kick returner. It’s clearly part of Oklahoma’s weekly recreation plan to get him the ball.
With Marvin Mims’ standing for subsequent season up within the air, Oklahoma’s passing offense will rely closely on Farooq’s growth in 2023. If Mims decides to transfer on, it might be Farooq’s flip to step right into a No. 1 large receiver function. If his counterpart returns for his senior season, Farooq’s ascension will solely elevate Oklahoma’s offensive ceiling.
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“I feel more mature,” Farooq mentioned after observe on Monday night time. “I’m becoming more of a leader on the team, a vocal leader. I don’t really talk too much, so I feel like I’m becoming more of a vocal leader for the team. Gaining a more mature role. It feels crazy. Time went by fast.
”It simply takes time. I didn’t even discover it was taking place. It was only a function that I took in place, just about.”
Farooq has been in a position to step up and make a number of big-time performs this season in an inconsistent Oklahoma offense. Even although his stats don’t leap off the web page, the sophomore’s potential is obvious. With or with out Mims, his junior leap has an opportunity to be particular, and massive performances during the last two video games might go a great distance towards conducting that.
“It definitely is (easier to lead),” Farooq mentioned. “It’s easier to do things like that when you’re making plays and stuff. Guys tend to follow a guy (who makes plays).”
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