It will start with Wilson & Rankins

Sooner preview: Receivers

By John Shinn

Oklahoma wide receivers Travis Wilson and Jejuan Rankins know the questions before they’re even asked.

Mark Clayton, Mark Bradley, Brandon Jones and Will Peoples aren’t around anymore. Where will OU find its receiving yards this season?

Rankins has a quick answer for anyone who asks. He believes he and Wilson are ready to fill even the biggest shoes.

“We’re the only two left so we have to step up and provide leadership,” Rankins said. “I want the coaches to have confidence to throw it to me. I want the ball. I want to be the go-to guy. I don’t mind that at all. I hope it happens.”

He’ll get his chance. While the Sooners are spending the preseason trying to identify their next quarterback, they already know who their top options are in the passing game.

“People tend to forget that Travis and Jejuan are seasoned veterans,” wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt said. “They have played in big games — three BCS bowl games. They’ve had double-digit starts and made big catches in big games. We are just looking forward to watching them lead our team.

“They’re having an unbelievable camp and have been two of the best players out here on the field. In every practice, they have been outstanding.”

Wilson will no doubt begin his senior season as the top option. He earned the distinction without breakout 2004 season, leading the Sooners with 11 touchdown receptions. His 50 catches and 660 yards trailed only Clayton.

It was enough to be an honorable mention selection on last season’s All-Big 12 team. His heightened expectations have shown in the preseason. An all-conference preseason selection, he’s also up for the Biletnikoff Award, given to college football’s top receiver.

Rankins was a standout in 2003, but saw his playing time dip last year. His elusiveness reminds some of Clayton and his ability to pile on yards after the catch will be a welcome addition to the Sooner offense.

Wilson nor Rankins expects a drop-off among receivers.

“It’s great to prove people wrong and have people second-guess you, and you prove them wrong at the end of the season,” Wilson said.

And there’s talent beyond the mainstays.

At 6-6, 211 pounds, redshirt freshman Quentin Chaney has impressed. His size is a luxury the Sooners haven’t really had at the position. Redshirt freshman Lendy Holmes mirrors Rankins’ ability to elude defenders in the open field.

A highly touted crop of recruits will also push for time. Manuel Johnson and Juaquin Iglesias have been made big preseason impressions. Malcolm Kelly was slowed by a strained hamstring, but has already shown big-play potential.

“They may be a little raw, but they are really competing well and are making special plays in every practice,” Wyatt said of the freshmen receivers.

OU’s tight ends haven’t caught a lot of passes the past two seasons, but that might also change this year.

Seniors James “Bubba” Moses and Willie Roberts join sophomore Joe Jon Finley at the spot. The threesome make tight end perhaps OU’s deepest position.

“Our expectations in that room are a little bit different than they have been before,” position coach Kevin Sumlin said.

Add it all up and it should make for a fertile field from which to choose when the Sooners drop back to pass this season.

John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com