Javonnie Gibson injury update: Brent Venables offers new timeline for Oklahoma WR after surgery

Last week, Oklahoma wide receiver Javonnie Gibson underwent surgery for a broken leg. After the Sooners’ spring Crimson Combine event, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables provided an update on Gibson’s injury.

“He had surgery a couple of days ago,” Venables said. “It got rolled up on in practice, unfortunately. If he just stays on schedule, he’ll be back to start the season and be back with us.”

Gibson transferred to Oklahoma from Arkansas-Pine Bluff this offseason. In the 2024 campaign, he tallied 70 receptions for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns. His 1,215 receiving yards were the fourth-most in the FCS last season.

For his efforts, Gibson was named an FCS All-American Second-Team selection by the Associated Press. Prior to transferring to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Gibson spent two seasons at Arkansas-Monticello. One of those years was a redshirt season.

Javonnie Gibson was the No. 116 overall player and No. 27 wide receiver in the transfer portal this offseason, according to On3’s 2025 Transfer Portal Player Rankings. Gibson was an unranked prospect coming out of high school and only had two offers. Neither of them were from Division I programs.

In fact, Gibson didn’t even primarily play receiver until his second year at Monticello. He played quarterback in high school and defensive end his freshman season at Monticello. Alas, former NFL wide receiver and current Alabama A&M wide receivers coach Lawann Latson saw Gibson’s potential as a pass-catcher.

Latson, who also discovered and coached Houston Texans receiver Tank Dell, mentored Gibson at Arkansas-Monticello and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. After Gibson committed to Oklahoma in the transfer portal, Latson informed Sooners fans what they can expect from their new wideout.

“A lot of schools slept on him and he’s going to make a lot of them hate that they did,” Latson said. “The kid is very special. He could very easily be one of the best receivers in college football. I said it last year and people ignored me because I’m at a SWAC school and we weren’t playing against the best competition.

“But I know what an NFL receiver looks like. OU has something special and I’m excited for people to find out just how good he is.”

Evidently, Gibson is already on a fast track to recovery. He can’t wait to run out on the field as a Sooner for the first time.

“I’m very excited,” Gibson said. “The fanbase, they’re crazy. I ran into two women at the hotel during my visit, and they told me how crazy they were about the Sooners. I’ve never been at a place like that. I want to be a part of that… I can’t wait for people to know my name.”