Brenen Thompson earned OU football starting nod at receiver with more than speed

NORMAN — Brenen Thompson has waited since his junior year of high school to become a starting receiver.

At Spearman High School in Texas, Thompson played safety, cornerback, quarterback, running back and some receiver. After registering just one catch and injuring his hamstring during his freshman year at Texas in 2022, he transferred to the OU football program, where he finished with seven receptions and two touchdowns in six games in 2023.

Thompson's name showing up as an "OR" alongside Nic Anderson — who caught 10 touchdown passes a season ago — was one of the most notable surprises on the Sooners' initial depth chart released Sunday evening.

“I was fortunate to have a good camp," Thompson said after practice Monday. "Along with the rest of the guys, definitely came out on top. I’m excited.”

Since he didn't spend much time before college as a receiver, Thompson has had to learn how to play the position on the fly. A former track and field star, he was mostly known as a deep threat speedster who could run go routes and fades and blow by defensive backs.

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It was his willingness to learn how to become a well-rounded receiver who isn't afraid to get physical and who mastered route-running that earned him a starting nod in OU's Week 1 game vs. Temple . That work ethic to improve led him to record the most yardage of any receiver throughout the Sooners' preseason camp.

"He’s become one of our best leaders," head coach Brent Venables said Monday. "Incredibly vocal. Really bright young guy that really cares about his teammates. He can run the entire route tree. He’s focused on not being labeled as just a nine-route or go-ball guy. He’s done a great job, whether it’s the curls, the mesh, the digs, cross the middle of the field. Shows great toughness and durability."

Thompson added: "It goes all the way back to the summer with (strength coach Jerry Schmidt). Had a great summer with Schmitty, just having the team around me to lift me up when I’m down, and vice versa with me to them, and just the grind — the grind of camp, the grind of summer and just attacking everything.”

For the first time in over a decade OU's offense enters the regular season with more questions than the defense. The Sooners will open their season with a new play caller, new quarterback and new offensive line.

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The receivers room, however, is one of the Sooners' deepest on the roster. Senior Jalil Farooq has watched Thompson gradually improve daily in practice the last two seasons.

"Brenen is a guy that brings intensity in practice every day," Farooq said. "He is one of the guys that works consistently, he continuously makes plays 24/7. I take a lot from his game, he's super fast and in our receiver's room we have all (No. 1) receivers. So anybody can step up to the plate and play receiver right now, today."

Thompson went from wishing he was a receiver in high school to wowing coaches and players with his speed, to a potential breakout candidate to earning a starting nod ahead of Week 1. He built up his body in the summer to compete during camp and focused on being a vocal leader in the locker room.

And he's not stopping here. Thompson has higher expectations for himself and OU this season.

“I think (my expectations) are the highest," Thompson said. "I think I got the highest expectations, even over Coach V. I think my expectations of myself are higher than what he has for me. I’m trying to go win for this team. I’m trying to put this team first. I’m trying to do everything in my ability to win for this team.”

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Brenen Thompson earned OU football starting nod at receiver with more than speed