How Jalil Farooq is Embracing His Role as a Leader in Oklahoma's Young Receiver Room
NORMAN — Jalil Farooq is going to feel a different kind of pressure in 2023.
Not only is the junior wide receiver going to have to settle into a new role this year, drawing the eye of opposing defensive coordinator’s as Oklahoma’s top pass catcher, he’s going to have to help lead a young wide receiver room.
Farooq and teammate Drake Stoops are surrounded by a talented group that trends young heading into the season. And even the older members of Emmett Jones’ wide receiver room haven’t produced on the field in Norman.
It’ll represent a big change for Farooq who parlayed a strong performance in the Alamo Bowl to close the 2021 season into a breakout campaign last year.
Farooq finished fourth on last year’s team with 37 catches, ending the year with 466 yards and five scores.
But now he’s ready to lead the way on and off the field.
“It was always a dream for me,” Farooq said after practice on Monday. “Just being here all the way across the country is a great feeling to be here, to be a leader in the wide receivers' room. So it's just a great feeling. I never thought I'd see it.”
Part of Farooq taking on a leadership role has been to model the right work ethic for his younger teammates.
Taking extra time to study film and hone his craft is something Farooq has always prided himself on, and his time at Oklahoma has only reinforced that.
“I feel like I'm a hard-working guy,” Farooq said. “I feel like I'm very consistent. I feel as though I've found out that I tend to push myself more than I think, so it's just a lot.
“There's a lot to be consistent day by day, so you've got to bring it every day.”
Still, that doesn’t mean he’s the finished product.
Jalil Farooq
Bryan Terry / USA TODAY Sports
Farooq has had three different wide receiver coaches in Norman, Cale Gundy, interim coach L’Damien Washington and now Jones.
The turnover has given Farooq three unique voices to learn under, but he hopes his knowledge of the position at large will improve working under Jones.
“He told me he never was really taught how to play the position,” Jones said last week. “It’s always, use my talent in this system. I want to enhance your talent.”
Farooq hasn’t wasted his time with Jones, either.
“He’s been soaking it up,” Jones said. “I’m on him kind of tough. I watch his every step. You may see me at practice kind of breathing down his back a little rough, but that’s just getting him ready.
“And those guys know. Nothing is personal, it’s just a challenge.”
Just as Jones has challenged Farooq, he’s pushed the new faces in the meeting room to earn a spot on the field.
Sharing his own experience, Farooq has had a simple bit of advice for his fellow receivers.
“Come in here and act like they're not freshmen,” Farooq said. “Come in here and feel like they're vets. Don't be afraid to ask questions to the older guys.
“Don't be afraid to take coaching. Just come in here and be the best version of them. Come in here and be aggressive.”
Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby proved to be a big believer in Farooq last year, using him out of the backfield and in the running game as well as pushed outside as a more traditional pass catcher.
But without Marvin Mims, Lebby needs even more out of Farooq in 2023, and that starts in fall camp.
“That’s one of the guys in the room that has had some production and has played quite a bit,” Lebby said. “… He’s lived it. He understands what it takes to play at a high level every single week.
“Him as much as anybody else needs to put together three great weeks of fall camp. Continuing to create trust, continuing to create consistency inside the building every single day, but a guy that when he had the ball in his hands, he did great things with it. So we’re looking for him to take that and run with it.”
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