Why the hiring of Jeff Lebby was a 'turning point' for OU wide receiver Theo Wease's return

NORMAN — Everything fell into place for Theo Wease.

The senior wide receiver is expected to be a go-to option in OU’s passing game this season, but his time in Norman almost came to an end this past offseason.

After missing all but one game in 2021 due to a lower leg injury, Wease wanted a change in scenery. The Allen, Texas, native considered entering the transfer portal, and he already had a landing spot in mind.

Wease wanted to play for Jeff Lebby at Ole Miss.

The Oklahoma grad and former student assistant was thriving as the Rebels' offensive coordinator. Ole Miss ranked sixth in the nation in total yards per game last season (480.9), and Wease wanted in on the action.

“We talked about me going there,” Wease said of Lebby and Ole Miss on The Podcast On The Prairie on March 9. “Of course, I never wanted to leave Oklahoma. But you know, just how certain stuff plays out, stuff happens.”

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Reluctant to leave OU, a place he called home for the past three years, Wease’s decision became much easier following the conclusion of the season.

Then-OU head coach Lincoln Riley surprised the program by bolting for the USC gig on Nov. 28, and Wease entered the transfer portal the following day.

"It was hard,” Wease said on Thursday. “I went through the injury, missed the whole season and then the coaching change. It was hard.”

Numerous other OU offensive players followed suit.

Caleb and Mario Williams transferred to USC. Spencer Rattler and Austin Stogner went to South Carolina. Jadon Haselwood moved on to Arkansas.

Wease also intended on following through with his decision. He planned on joining Lebby at Ole Miss, but Lebby came to him instead.

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Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables accepted the head coaching at OU on Dec. 5, and Lebby joined his staff as the offensive coordinator.

Lebby’s hiring made it an easy decision for Wease, who withdrew from the transfer portal on Dec. 17 and returned to OU.

“The turning point I would definitely say was Coach Lebby,” Wease said. “Just his philosophy and how real he made me feel. It was just a family-like feel I got from him."

The Sooners are expected to roll out a fast-paced offense under Lebby’s command.

Ole Miss ranked fourth in the nation in offensive plays per game last season (80.5), while Oklahoma ranked 107th (66.8).

"I like playing in a tempo offense because you can catch the defense slipping,” Wease said. “That was a big part of talking to Coach Lebby and just everything about his offense."

Buying into the system hasn’t been an issue for Wease, and that has shown in the first few days of spring football.

“He’s been incredibly competitive,” Lebby said of Wease. “He’s been incredibly bought-in. He’s worked his butt off in getting to this point. I think he can fit in in a great way.”

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Wease fit into OU’s offense just fine prior to the coaching change.

The then-sophomore wide receiver started all 11 games in 2020. He finished with 37 receptions for 530 yards and four touchdowns.

Wease was primed for another strong showing last season before watching it get spoiled by his leg injury, but he has a positive outlook on the setback.

"I’m grateful for the injury because it brought something out of myself," Wease said. "I knew I had it in me. But being injured and being off the field made me dig deeper, actually find that and put it to work.”

Wease is now in an offensive scheme he has wanted to play in for some time now, and he claims his health level is off the scale.

"I'll give you a scale from 1-10,” Wease said of his health. “I'd probably say 11.”

Justin Martinez can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or @JTheSportsDude on Twitter. Make sure to subscribe to The Oklahoman to stay up to date with all local sports.