‘He’s told the coaches he’s going to return’: Bob Stoops says Drake Stoops will return in 2023
There’s been speculation about Drake Stoops’ intentions for the 2023 season, but that has been put to bed ahead of the Oklahoma Sooners’ matchup with the Florida State Seminoles. On an episode of Bob Stoops on the former Oklahoma head coach’s YouTube channel, Stoops was asked if Drake would be returning for another season in Norman.
Stoops said, “Yeah, he’s told the coaches that he’s going to return for his next year and take his COVID year and work on some particular things that he feels he can be better at. At this point, that’s where it’s at, and he’s set to play another year.”
That’s a massive boost for an Oklahoma wide receiver group that is in a period of flux. Questions remain about whether star wideout Marvin Mims will return for his senior season or make the jump and head to the NFL draft. Additionally, the Sooners have had three receivers enter the transfer portal. Theo Wease was the most notable loss, as he was a contributor in his time in Norman.
Stoops’ return adds stability and ensures the Sooners will have at least two starting returners in Stoops and Jalil Farooq if Mims does head to the NFL. In 2022, Stoops has tallied 37 catches for 366 yards and three touchdowns. He’s a big-time third-down target out of the slot because of his work in the intermediate areas of the field. That’s going to be a big help next year for whoever is under center in Norman.
Stoops is a veteran leader and presence in the locker room. His experience will be invaluable to younger receivers like Farooq, LV Bunkley-Shelton, J.J. Hester, Gavin Freeman, Jayden Gibson, Nicholas Anderson, and incoming receivers like four-star signees Jaquaize Pettaway and Keyon Brown.
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