Caleb, Tennell primed for breakout seasons

Brandon Caleb and Adron Tennell are connected by their many commonalities.

Both are wide receivers.

Both were high-profile, 4-star recruits coming out of high school.

Both have battled serious, season-ending injuries.

Both have yet to live up to expectations.

But this season, both Caleb and Tennell will have ample opportunity to produce.

OU’s elder talent at wide receiver has kept  Caleb and Tennell on the sidelines as Malcolm Kelly, Juaquin Iglesias and Manny Johnson have enjoyed the majority of the snaps the last three seasons.

Now, with those players gone to the NFL, Tennell and Caleb find themselves being counted on to fulfill major roles.

Said Tennell, “It’s been a while waiting to get on the field. Me and Brandon every time, we know what to do — go out there and ‘eat,’ which means go out there and make plays every time on the field.”

Said Caleb, “Everybody that comes in here wants to play immediately and sometimes there are setbacks. As far as waiting, you have to be patient and realize when you’re presented with an opportunity. I feel like we can come on and make the plays that show the coaches that we’re reliable. You have to know whenever you get the opportunity, you have to make something happen. That’s what we’re hoping to do.”

Other than Ryan Broyles, the Sooners have little experience at receiver. Running back Mossis Madu will see some time in the slot. Jameel Owens and Dejuan Miller are promising, but still young. Junior-college transfer Cameron Kenney, who won’t arrive on campus until June, will need time to learn the system.