Jayden Gibson exuding confidence in second year at Oklahoma

There are high expectations for Oklahoma receiver Jayden Gibson in 2023. Not only from the fanbase and the coaching staff but from himself. 

Gibson is coming off an underwhelming freshman season in which he struggled to be the playmaker many thought he could be. Whether it was dropped balls or not understanding his assignments, his first season at Oklahoma was a learning process. But now entering his sophomore season, Gibson feels he’s ready to live up to the high expectations, saying he “didn’t grow up wanting to be a college football player, but wanting to be a college football star.”

“I feel like a lot of my battle was mentally,” Gibson said Monday. “And now that I’ve got that out of the way, I feel like I’ve become more of a sound player. I think one of my biggest strong suits is big plays and being able to stretch the field. But I know the coaches wanted to see a lot more consistency from me in the short game. And just being a more sound player in my concepts and that kind of thing. Just being more cerebral about the game of football. I feel like that’s been a big thing for me that I’ve been accomplishing this fall camp. Knowing plays, like, knowing the whole playbook, knowing everybody’s positions, being able to see things quicker on the field, and being able to play reactive.”

Gibson credits new receivers coach Emmett Jones with his development this offseason. Jones has worked closely with Gibson since being hired in January and has pushed the younger receiver in ways he wasn’t last season. 

Said Gibson: “I think I’m a way better player. I think I’m a way better player because he teaches me to recognize my weaknesses and to attack them and to not try and shy away from them. To try not to mask them, but to truly make them your strong point… The second he got here, he told me, to get bigger, stronger, faster. He just came with a passion and an energy to want to do what he says. He really wants to see me be great.”

For Gibson, though, most know he has the athletic ability to be a great player. It’s about becoming a smarter and more confident player he needs to grow the most. Even going back to the spring game, dropping the game-winning pass is something that was a result of him lacking confidence at times, he said. 

But following a good fall camp, in which he stood out in practices and scrimmages, his confidence has never been higher. Now it’s just about performing on the field, which Oklahoma desperately needs this season, as it searches for offensive playmakers. 

“I’m the same player. I have the same love for the game, I feel like now I’m just more sure of myself, regardless of what happens around me,” Gibson said. “And I know on the inside who I am as a player. I know who I am as a person and that’s a credit to coach (Brent) Venables and coach Jones. And my teammates for building me up and helping me realize I’m more than a football player. I’m still fighting that battle… All I know is football. 

“A lot of that I didn’t really take into account during my freshman year. Well, yeah, you’re going to go through some ups and downs, some trials and tribulations… I feel like everything is coming together now and it’s allowing me to be the most confident player I can be.”

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