Jalil Farooq became a “better person” after a foot injury

NORMAN — Jalil Farooq was always on the field.

Whether in high school or since joining Oklahoma, the senior wide receiver has almost always been healthy. He has played in all 26 of Oklahoma's games over the past two seasons, started 23 times and played over 1,500 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

But that changed in April when he suffered a foot injury in the middle of spring training. The injury kept Farooq off the field for the rest of the spring and the spring game and lingered into the summer and the start of fall training.

It was a difficult and unfamiliar place for Farooq.

“Life is full of obstacles,” Farooq said. “Off the field, being a better player, being a better coach, not being able to practice and do as much in the spring and dealing with a foot injury has made me a better person. I was never injured in college, so that was the first time I really had to deal with it.”

“Just continue to be level-headed. I've never been injured before, so it was a little depressing for me not to be able to train with my brothers because I haven't missed too many practices. For that to happen to me, it hurt me a lot. My main focus is to continue to be a leader off the field. I can't be depressed when I could be doing that. I just build my brothers up, talk to them 24/7, and my brothers build me up when I need them.”

With the injury limiting him, Farooq focused on what he could do off the field. As the Sooners' longest-tenured and most experienced receiver, the Maryland native developed into a leader for the rest of the group. During his rehab, Farooq leaned on the team, especially Andre Anthony who was also recovering from the injury he sustained in the game against Texas, which meant the end of his season.

“Andrel was really one of the big things that kept me calm because he went through the process before me,” Farooq said. “He just kept telling me to keep working and keep going. 'I know the process is hard.' I've told him that too, like, 'Keep going.' He just has a consistent work ethic and I see him finding himself again. I'm excited to see him play, man. He really deserves it.”

Fortunately for the Sooners, Farooq has recovered and is ready for Friday's season opener against Temple. He has regained his usual starting spot at the top of the order and hopes to build on last season's performance, when he caught a career-high 45 passes for 694 yards and two touchdowns.

Although the Sooners boast a deep receiver roster, Farooq stands out. The former four-star prospect has played more snaps (1,592) and has more receptions (86) and yards (1,229) than any other receiver on the roster in his career. He has proven his consistency with two consecutive seasons of 40 or more receptions.

While the receiver group consists of several experienced players, there are also eight players from younger classes in the group. This gives Farooq the opportunity to act as a leader.

“I'm more of a vocal leader who leads by example,” Farooq said. “I make sure I'm a role model for the younger guys. I'm just whatever I need to be for them, I tell them, I give them good advice. I've been through the process, so I can just give them the advice they need.”

The Sooners' receivers have been the center of attention, and Farooq's experience gives the group a solid foundation. And after this injury, Farooq has even more prospects for his fourth season.

“I'm really excited. I can't wait to get out there with my guys,” Farooq said. “We've put in a lot of hard work over the summer and spring. We're just ready to go out there and show what we're really about.”