Fresno St. Wideout coming to OU

[Sooner in Tampa]

He will have 2 yrs left after he sits out 2012


Over the weekend, wide receiver Kameel Jackson tweeted that he would be leaving the Oklahoma football program (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/07/another-sooners-wr-transferring-this-one-to-am/) and transferring (maybe) to Texas A&M.
A couple of days later, it appears the Sooners are on the verge of bringing in another player at the same position.
According to the Fresno Bee, former Fresno State WR Jalen Saunders has committed to continuing his collegiate career at OU (http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/05/06/2827923/ex-bulldogs-receiver-jalen-saunders.html). The paper writes that the decision comes after a visit to the Norman campus this past weekend.
In a quasi-confirmation of the report, Saunders tweeted “SOONER NATION (https://twitter.com/#!/jalen6saunders/status/199359809361948672)” following the visit.
The transfer to OU, if it indeed becomes official — the school has yet to confirm the move — would come as somewhat of a surprise. After announcing back in mid-April that he would be leaving the Bulldogs (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/12/fresno-state-loses-leading-receiver-to-transfer/), it was widely assumed that the California native would continue playing somewhere on the West Coast, with UCLA and Washington (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/26/washington-ucla-rumored-as-landing-spots-for-ex-fresno-wr/) mentioned as possible — or even probable — landing spots.
As a sophomore in 2011, Saunders led the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (1,065), receiving touchdowns (12) and total touchdowns (14, two of them rushing). For that, he was named first-team All-WAC following the season.
Saunders will be forced to sit out the 2012 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.

[LVSOONER15]

Kinda old news, but thanks for sharing Tampa.

[EatLeadCommie]

It was new news to me. Kid sounds like a stud. Why did he leave Fresno? Was he tight with Pat Hill?

[LVSOONER15]

It was new news to me. Kid sounds like a stud. Why did he leave Fresno? Was he tight with Pat Hill?

Exactly, coaching change. He didn't think he would fit in with the new offense. This kid is very fast and has some great moves. He has shown he can contribute at the D1 level. I think this is a great pick up.

[MamaMia]

I haven't heard or read anything about this on this site or from any other news source. Thanks for the post Sooner In Tampa. He could be a great asset to our team.

[cccasooner2]

I haven't heard or read anything about this on this site or from any other news source. Thanks for the post Sooner In Tampa. He could be a great asset to our team.

Go to recruiting board now and then Mama. :)

A highlight vid on the link. http://www.soonerfans.com/forums/showthread.php?168029-Jalen-Saunders-ALL-WAC-Biletnikoff-Watch-List-WR-Transfers-to-OU

[sooneron]

News to me! Averaging 20 ypc will be nice to have!

[8timechamps]

The word is he has "NFL Speed". Now, I have no idea what that really means, except that he's fast. Of course he'll have to sit out this season, but 2013 is looking like it could be dangerous for Big XII defensive secondaries. The question is, who will be throwing the ball to all these stud receivers?

[EatLeadCommie]

The only thing I noticed apart from his impressive numbers is that he is undersized. Slot guy?

[stoopified]

good news

[Mississippi Sooner]

The word is he has "NFL Speed". Now, I have no idea what that really means, except that he's fast. Of course he'll have to sit out this season, but 2013 is looking like it could be dangerous for Big XII defensive secondaries. The question is, who will be throwing the ball to all these stud receivers?

I think it means he doesn't quite have SEC speed, but yeah, he's pretty fast.

[KantoSooner]

Well, now, that's just what I was going to comment upon. His speed might not be 'SEC' speed....but the example of those SEC guys from Ole Miss who he was blowing by like they were sitting in rockers might beg to differ.

[MamaMia]

Go to recruiting board now and then Mama. :)

A highlight vid on the link. http://www.soonerfans.com/forums/showthread.php?168029-Jalen-Saunders-ALL-WAC-Biletnikoff-Watch-List-WR-Transfers-to-OU Why, when I can read it here? Thanks for the link. :)

[BBQ Man]

I like having the top WR from another team no matter what his 40 says. That's the guy the QB trusted and that's the guy that caught the ball.

[Salt City Sooner]

The only thing I noticed apart from his impressive numbers is that he is undersized. Slot guy?
The reason he left is that the new staff wanted him in the slot & he wanted no part of it. It'll be interesting to see where he actually plays once he's eligible.

[BoulderSooner79]

"Undersized" guys can make big safeties and tall corners look "oversized" when they try to stay with him.

[cccasooner2]

I couldn't find the photo of him signing a football that I saw last week, but did find one that shows he has a hair-do something like Stills's.

http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/97/979890.jpg

[cccasooner2]

I found the picture of the sinister guy again.
https://instagr.am/p/IqkIofnbhQ/media/?size=l

[OU_Sooners75]

It was new news to me. Kid sounds like a stud. Why did he leave Fresno? Was he tight with Pat Hill?

You do know we have recruiting forum, right? Maybe should try following it sometime. :)

[OU_Sooners75]

The word is he has "NFL Speed". Now, I have no idea what that really means, except that he's fast. Of course he'll have to sit out this season, but 2013 is looking like it could be dangerous for Big XII defensive secondaries. The question is, who will be throwing the ball to all these stud receivers?

Trevor Knight

[OU_Sooners75]

The reason he left is that the new staff wanted him in the slot & he wanted no part of it. It'll be interesting to see where he actually plays once he's eligible.

They wanted to have him play the slot where the slot was a check off WR primarily.

In OU's current system the Slot is one of the first looks and the WR that is able to rack up YAC.

[Salt City Sooner]

They wanted to have him play the slot where the slot was a check off WR primarily.

In OU's current system the Slot is one of the first looks and the WR that is able to rack up YAC.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/04/10/2795321/fresno-state-receiver-jalen-saunders.html

Doesn't sound to me like number of opportunities was the problem nearly as much as where he'd be getting them, at least if his dad is accurate in relaying his son's feelings.

[Widescreen]

Holy crap. Did he not check to see what kind of offense we run? FSU is going to run a no-huddle with smaller receivers in the slot and bigger receivers on the outside. Sound familiar?

[OU_Sooners75]

http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/04/10/2795321/fresno-state-receiver-jalen-saunders.html

Doesn't sound to me like number of opportunities was the problem nearly as much as where he'd be getting them, at least if his dad is accurate in relaying his son's feelings.

mmmkay

I never said he will be a slot at OU.

[OU_Sooners75]

Holy crap. Did he not check to see what kind of offense we run? FSU is going to run a no-huddle with smaller receivers in the slot and bigger receivers on the outside. Sound familiar?

Yes, but at the same time, I have this suspicisous feeling that OU is changing their offensive philosophy just a bit.

No, I don't have any proof or link or anything like that. Just a gut feeling I have.

I get this from the bigger RBs and the TEs with more blocking abilities and even the taller WRs they have been going after the last two recruiting seasons (three including the 2013 recruiting class).

Just seems Heupel is changing the offensive identity of the team since Bob Stoops wants to run the ball more and better.

[ouflak]

Then I hope he can block. Any video of that?

[cccasooner2]

http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051512aaa.html

Bob didn't mention blocking. :)

[OU_Sooners75]

This guy will be something good...return guy for sure!

He will also be able to stretch the field by going deep and he will be able to outrun just about anyone on the field.

I like it:

2013:
Slot: Durron Neal
Split out: Trey Metoyer
Split out: Jalen Suanders


I think in 2013, we should just do away with RBs and TEs and put 5 WRs on the field every play...LOL

Metoyer, Neal, Shepard, Saunders, Gardner (if he is not a one and done), Woods (if he is not playing def), Stills (if he stays his Senior year)...man what potential at WR!!!!

[KantoSooner]

I hope Bell, Allen and Knight stop by Bob's office to say, 'Thank you'.

[hawaii 5-0]

What I liked was his ability to create separation. Something Broyles was good at.

He also catches the ball over his shoulder well.

5-0

[VA Sooner]

Impressive catch... glad he swung our way. Should be stacked at WR.

Now about those RBs....