A week after a “SOONER NATION” tweet gave a fairly significant hint as to his future football home, Jalen Saunders has officially landed in the Big 12 conference.
In a release, Oklahoma announced that the wide receiver has indeed transferred to the Sooners and will be a part of the football program beginning in 2012.
“We are excited to add an explosive player in Jalen to our program,” head coach Bob Stoops said in a statement addressing the addition. “He has great speed as evidenced by his yards-per-catch average and is someone who can contribute to our program in a number of ways.”
Saunders announced back in mid-April that he would be transferring from Fresno State, although it was originally thought the California native would remain on the West Coast.
As a sophomore in 2011, Saunders led the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (1,065), receiving touchdowns (12) and total touchdowns (14, two of them rushing). For that, he was named first-team All-WAC following the season.
Given the off-field situation that slammed headfirst into the OU receiving corp last week, the Sooners could certainly help use a talent like Saunders immediately. Unfortunately, that likely won’t be the case as, barring an unexpected development, the receiver will be forced to sit out the 2012 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.
Beginning in 2013, Saunders will have two years of eligibility remaining.