FORMER 4-Star WR Jayden Gibson is no longer with the Sooners. What is next for the talented WR?

The Oklahoma Sooners have officially parted ways with redshirt junior wide receiver Jayden Gibson. Head Coach Brent Venables confirmed the news, stating the former 4-star prospect was “no longer with the team.” The move comes after a long and difficult battle with a knee injury that has kept the promising playmaker off the field for nearly two full seasons.

This kind of roster change significantly alters a team’s outlook. It’s the type of variable that affects perceptions of program depth and is factored into everything from scouting reports to the college football odds week 9. Gibson’s exit is more than a minor footnote; it’s a material event for the Sooners’ future.

Gibson was once viewed as a future star in Norman. At 6’5″, he was a massive target with the stats to back up the hype. During his 2023 sophomore campaign, he was an absolute monster, hauling in 14 passes for 375 yards and 5 touchdowns. What really turned heads was his insane 26.8 yards per reception average, proving he was one of the most dangerous deep threats in the college game. He was a certified baller with the potential to be a Sunday player.

Then the injury bug hit.

In August 2024, Gibson suffered a devastating patellar tendon rupture, an injury known for derailing the careers of explosive athletes. The tear immediately ended his season. Hopes were high for a 2025 return, but a major setback in March during a simple non-contact drill shelved him indefinitely. After missing the first six games of this season, the writing was on the wall.

Gibson’s departure shines a light on a bigger problem at Oklahoma. He is now the seventh wide receiver in the last year to hit the transfer portal after suffering a major injury with the team. That’s a huge red flag and raises questions about what’s going on behind the scenes with their training and medical staff. While the Sooners have patched the holes with transfer players, they are consistently losing their own homegrown talent.

So what’s next for Jayden Gibson? He is expected to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility left. A team will be getting a player with elite size and proven big-play ability. However, the medicals are a massive gamble. The return rate for patellar tendon tears is just over 50%, and many players never regain that same explosive burst. Gibson is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward prospect for any school willing to take a chance. He has the raw talent to be a star, but the biggest question is whether his body will ever let him get back on the field.