The Oklahoma Sooners haven’t had the best luck retaining some of their skill players early in the 2025 offseason if that’s what you want to call it. They still have one game left — against the Navy Midshipmen, but moves are already being made. They have lost several players that could have been huge this year.
One of those is speed demon Jaquaize Pettaway, who would have been perfect to have next to new quarterback John Mateer and the other weapons the Sooners have gained and still have.
Pettaway was a highly-touted recruit coming out of Langham Creek High School in Houston, Texas. He was ranked as one of the top wide receivers in the 2023 class, with various sources placing him as the No. 8 to No. 14 WR nationally at that time. His speed was notable, with recorded times in the 100-meter dash under 10.5 seconds. He committed to Oklahoma, choosing them over offers from schools like Texas, LSU, Ohio State, and Georgia.
Pettaway played in nine games, catching 11 passes for 70 yards. His debut was particularly noteworthy, with nine receptions for 56 yards against Arkansas State. He appeared in 11 games, amassing 16 receptions for 157 yards. Despite high expectations due to injuries in the receiver room, his playing time was limited, and he didn’t crack the regular rotation.
His last significant performance was in a game against Tennessee where he caught three passes for 79 yards. After his sophomore season, Pettaway announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal. This decision came after he saw very limited playing time over the final games of the season, with just five receptions for 87 yards in 2024.
Now, it has been reported that Pettaway has committed to East Carolina University for the 2025-26 season. This move offers him an opportunity to revitalize his career with two years of eligibility remaining. His speed and potential could make him a significant asset at East Carolina, where he might have more opportunities to showcase his skills.