Sooners WR Jalen Saunders cleared to play vs. Texas

Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jalen Saunders has been cleared to play on Saturday against the Texas Longhorns, according to Guerin Emig of The Tulsa World.

Saunders had previously been ruled ineligible to play this year after transferring to Oklahoma from Fresno State. He appealed the decision just before the start of the season, but the request was rejected on Sep. 3. The Sooners had planned on redshirting him.

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops told Emig that he is "hopeful" about Saunders being a contributor in Saturday's game. The Sooners haven't prepared for the game with Saunders as a possible option, as Stoops did not receive the news until late on Wednesday afternoon.

Saunders, a junior from Elk Grove, Calif., caught 50 passes for 1,065 yards in 2011 with Fresno State, racking up 12 touchdown receptions and two more scores on the ground. As a freshman in 2010, Saunders accumulated 462 yards and three touchdowns through the air.