New Oklahoma commit Jaquaize Pettaway's 'speed is just different'

Speed is a key element of Jaquaize Pettaway‘s skill-set, but the top-100 wideout from Houston was patient with his decision.

Ultimately, Oklahoma won out for the four-star receiver from Langham Creek as the Sooners edged out rival Texas for Pettaway’s pledge. Jeff Lebby had zeroed in on the Lone Star State standout as a major piece of the 2023 puzzle in Norman along with quarterback Jackson Arnold.

“Every one of these schools has a lot of great people, but I know he really connected with the Oklahoma staff and those guys were out here a lot,” joked Langham Creek coach Aaron Fisher. “Coach Lebby was here anytime he was allowed to be at Langham Creek. He was a big part of it and Coach (Cale) Gundy was a big part of everything, too. His No. 1 deal was the relationships that he built with the staff there.”

“What Lebby has been able to do wherever he’s been,” he continues. “He’s an innovator. When he came to Langham Creek, he was such a great guy. When you match them together, he’s a great personality and a football genius, and it would be very attractive for anyone at the wide receiver position.”

Pettaway clocked a 10.41 in the 100-meter and a 20.81 in the 200-meter this past outdoor track season, both personal bests for the Houston speedster, who has been tearing up the track in addition to the football field since he was a sophomore. Pettaway represents the speed at Langham Creek and brings even more intangibles to Norman.

“He’s such a hard worker and not the type of kid you have to coach effort to in the offseason,” said Fisher, who also coaches Pettaway in track. “He just puts his head down and works, and holds himself and his teammates accountable. He’s a great kid and fun to be around and the Oklahoma fan base is gonna love him. We can talk about the track numbers and they’re there; they’re fast, but the speed is the just different on the football field.

“At Langham Creek, we find as many ways as possible to get him the football. In addition to what he does on offense, he also plays special teams. He’s our punt returner, kick returner and he goes and blocks punts for us. He played a lot of defense for us as well. He’s a Swiss Army Knife for us.”

Pettaway is the No. 62 player in the nation regardless of position on the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.