OU receiver Jalil Farooq suffers fractured foot, aiming to return for 2024 season

OU will be without one of its top receivers for the remainder of the spring and maybe most of the summer.

Senior Jalil Farooq has fractured his left foot but is hopeful to be back for the 2024 season and maybe even fall camp, sources tell SoonerScoop.com. Farooq was spotted at Friday’s practice with a cast on his left foot and on a scooter.

Farooq is one of Oklahoma’s top returning offensive weapons from 2023. He totaled 45 receptions for 694 yards and two touchdowns. But if there’s one position the Sooners can afford to suffer an injury its wide receiver. The receiver room might be the deepest on the OU roster. Jayden Gibson and Nic Anderson were both key contributors from last season. Purdue transfer receiver Deion Burks has been one of the bright spots of spring practice. And young guys like Jaquaize Pettaway, Ivan Carreon and Zion Kearney, have all been impressive this spring.

Still, losing Farooq is a blow. As he’s become one of the unquestioned leaders for the Sooners this spring, opting to return for his fourth year.

“We’ve seen the best version of Jalil Farooq, which is what you want,” coach Brent Venables said March 6. “Your best players, so to speak, to always be your best workers, best leaders. So far, through the first part of winter and spring, that’s what Jalil has been.”

Freshman offensive lineman Daniel Akinkunmi was also injured Friday, with a boot on his right foot. It’s unclear what his injury is.

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