Why Oklahoma Fans 'Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet' From WR Jayden Gibson

NORMAN — Jayden Gibson was supposed to be finishing high school last year when he went 95 yards for a touchdown in Oklahoma’s spring game.

That was just the beginning, he said.

“I gotta own what I did last year for sure,” Gibson said Tuesday. “I gotta put it on.”

He’ll have that chance Saturday as the Sooners wrap up 2023 spring practice with the annual Red/White Game (ESPN+, 2:30 p.m.). Gibson has had a big offseason and may be primed for a breakout year this fall.

Gibson arrived at OU a semester early as a 6-foot-5 tower of potential. His spring game performance — he took a short throw from ex-Sooner Micah Bowens and sprinted the length of Owen Field — showed what was possible.

But the fall season didn’t fulfill Gibson’s spring hype. Gibson played in nine games and got 120 total snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. That included 78 snaps at wide receiver, 10 in the slot and four lined up as part of the backfield package. He also played 28 snaps on special teams.

Gibson’s 2022 net offensive output was one catch for 12 yards.

“The outer world ain’t seen nothing yet,” Gibson said. “I’m just working. Dirty hard work in the dark. To myself, I know I’m getting way better. Just whenever the opportunity comes for me to go out there and just be Jayden Gibson, I’ll jump at it and I won’t look back.”

During his junior and senior seasons at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, FL, Gibson put together more than 1,600 receiving yards and 22 touchdown catches.

So catching just one pass and not even getting to take a redshirt season was a significant step down. In fact, Gibson used the term “stepping stones” to define his progress over the past 12 months.

“Coming in, you gotta put on weight,” he said. “You gotta tone up. You gotta get bigger. Gotta get stronger. Gotta be more cerebral about football. You gotta be that way. Gotta learn how to be a great teammate, great leader – all that kind of stuff I feel goes into it.

“And the coaches that I have, that I was blessed to be able to come play for these coaches. They ain’t ever gave up on me. They’re constantly telling me that, ‘You’re doing good at practice, you’re doing good, you’re making strides, you’re making strides.’ ”

It hasn’t been easy. When Gibson got to OU, his position coach was Cale Gundy. When the season began, it was L’Damian Washington.

Now, he’s learning from Emmett Jones, and Gibson feels the whole process has accelerated his growth — especially this spring under Jones.

“Coach Jones, I feel like, is just a real dude,” he said. “Like, someone I could really relate to. Someone who I feel always has my back. Someone who brings so much knowledge to practice every day that I feel like not every university has coaches that have access to that kind of stuff.”

Coaches and teammates have talked up Gibson’s evolution this spring. He has a unique frame and skill set to shine in an offense that has immediate openings for playmakers, emphasizes the deep ball and currently is led by possession receivers.

“One thing we’re doing in the room is learning different concepts to get guys used to moving all around and playing all over the football field, and they’ve been absorbing it,” Jones said. “I’ve got guys in that room working on that as far as increasing the pace of the learning level here in this offense.”

“For J-Gib, I see a lot of growth,” said wideout LV Bunkley-Shelton. “He’s playing big, as he should.”

Gibson acknowledged last year took a lot of patience, but also embraces the idea that he’s young and there are bigger days ahead.

“Obviously, we’re at a school like OU,” he said. “Just ‘cause you’re not playing don’t mean you’re doing bad. Just ‘cause you’re not the guy don’t mean you’re not doing your job. I was blessed to be able to come to a great university with so much talent – offense, defense, my position included, just so much talent – and not only talent that was here when I got here, but it’s always gonna be a stream of talent. It’s always gonna be top-tier talent.

“I’m just thankful that the coaches have continued to just allow me to become a better player.”

Gibson said at 6-5, he has to be more mindful of not playing too high — “pad level,” it’s called. A lot of short receivers want to be taller, but there aren’t many tall receivers who want to be shorter — or at least play shorter.

“That’s gonna be my main thing, just as low as I can play,” Gibson said. “If I can play like I’m 5-11, then I don’t feel like there’s no one out there that can stop me.”

Gibson said better communication has been a big part of his process as well.

“Obviously it’s not every time because I’m not perfect yet,” he said. “But now I know how to do it. It’s not like it’s something that’s foreign to me. I have a clear vision for what they want me to be as a receiver.

“One thing I feel I got way better with is just asking questions. Like, not being afraid to just ask the coaches. Not even just the football stuff. Just everything. Like, ‘What do y’all want me to be? What do you need to see in me to allow me to be the best version of myself for y’all.’

“I feel like it's going to be a great year.”