The Oklahoma Sooners have hit home runs lately in their recruiting. So well, that several true freshmen have been able to contribute early. Last year saw Marvin Mims and Seth McGowan play key roles for the Oklahoma Sooners.

In 2021, the Sooners are getting contributions again from a true freshman wide receiver in Mario Williams.

Brad Shepard of Bleacher Report highlighted the best true freshmen in college football through the first three weeks of the season and Mario Williams was featured.

All the 5’9″, 186-pounder has done in Norman is squeeze his way onto a crowded depth chart, where he’s the No. 3 receiver on the title-contending Sooners. Quarterback Spencer Rattler and OU’s passing attack hasn’t gotten going yet, sitting 87th in yards per game, and though Marvin Mims (168) and Jadon Haselwood (127) have higher yardage totals than Williams, it isn’t by much. – Shepard

Williams has had a key role in the offense each of the first three weeks of the season with veteran Theo Wease out of action with an injury. Williams was the most targeted wide receiver in week one as the offense attempted to get the bubble screen going against Tulane. In week two, he led the team in receiving before halftime when the starters were still playing against Western Carolina. In week three, though Jadon Haselwood led the way in targets, Williams was just behind him with five of his own.

In the first three games of the season, he’s failed to see fewer than four targets and he’s just behind Haselwood for the team lead in targets and receptions.

Mario Williams has taken full advantage of his opportunity and will continue to make plays in the passing game. He provides the Sooners with another downfield threat but can make plays after the catch in the short or intermediate parts of the field as well.

While teams attempt to take away Marvin Mims in the passing game, and Jadon Haselwood has emerged as a threat as well, opportunities abound for the fab freshman wide receiver. As teams attempt to take away the deep passing game, the Sooners will continue to look to Mario Williams to make plays with the ball in his hands. And through three games this season, there’s no reason to believe he won’t continue to do so.

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