Oklahoma WR Theo Wease Searching For Breakout Year

As a familiar face in a new role, Wease is now a veteran ready to help lead the Sooners.

Ross Lovelace | Apr 26, 2022

While Theo Wease figured to be a huge piece of Oklahoma’s 2022-23 season, he almost wasn’t even a part of it.

A prized possession of the Sooners' recruiting class, Wease had high expectations. So far he’s shown flashes of potential, including his 2020-21 season, and seems primed for a breakout season. He needed convincing that Norman was home, though.

After Lincoln Riley and the previous staff departed, Wease was facing a lot of uncertainty. Not only was he getting a new head coach if he stayed, he was getting a new offensive coordinator and a new quarterback, too. That’s a nightmare situation for a wide receiver stepping into a next-in-line type of opportunity.

Wease decided to return to the Sooners, though, committing to Brent Venables’ future plans and giving the new staff a shot. After Saturday’s spring game, it seems like Wease has found clarity about his decision and is, once again, ready to break out.

“That’s my guy,” said Wease about his new head coach. “He’s always a 10, I might even say he’s always an 11. I’m just excited and glad that I’m playing for him now. The rest is gonna be history.”

Along with progressing talent and being in a position to breakout, the redshirt junior has also developed off the field too. Wease has a clear leader-mentality and seems extra motivated this season.

When Dillon Gabriel first arrived on campus, Wease new that a brand new connection had to be made. After realizing their mindsets were aligned, that wasn’t a tall task at all.

“When I met him, about two minutes into the conversation is when he started talking X’s and O’s,” said Wease. “That’s when I knew where his mindset was.”

The two have used that mindset to create a tight bond this spring, one that Wease truly believes in. While Wease has yet to record over 500 yards for the Sooners, Gabriel could be the one to help him unlock that.

“One thing all great quarterbacks that come here have in common is just that dog-like mentality and just being consistent," said Wease. “Dillon definitely has that in him.”

The Gabriel-Wease connection could soon be a fan favorite. His offseason bet to double down on himself, the Sooners and his new quarterback seems to be paying off.

“I’m definitely buying his stock, 100 percent,” said Wease. “I have no doubt he’s gonna be great this season.”

Published Apr 26, 2022

ROSS LOVELACE

Experience Ross is a young, up-and-coming sports reporter who has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Sooners over the past six years. He's made guest appearances on various radio stations and has helped out with the All Sooners podcast whenever he gets the chance. Ross enjoys public speaking and has done so at multiple churches and high schools across the OKC metro area. In addition to writing, Ross has been the Play-by-Play announcer for Crossings’ basketball and football programs since 2020. In high school, Ross worked for self-starter blogs and latched onto Thunder Digest, where he discovered his passion for writing. From there, he worked for the OU Daily as a women's basketball reporter and was hired by All Sooners. Ross landed an internship with Sports Illustrated's Inside the Thunder and has since become a full-time contributor. One day, Ross hopes to work in the NBA. Work History Education Ross holds a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and a minor in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. Personal Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ross played basketball and wrote for his own Thunder blog at Crossings High School in OKC, OK. He enjoys reading, New York Jets football and a week at the beach. Ross is engaged to be married at the end of the year. His Twitter handle is @Rosslovelace.