NORMAN — Once a pillar of strength for the Oklahoma Sooners, the tight end position has struggled to find its identity in recent years. The 2025 season proved to be another challenging year for the position, with a combined total of just 55 catches for 615 yards and a lone touchdown among the four tight ends deployed.
After a lackluster performance in 2024, where Bauer Sharp led his teammates with a modest 324 yards and two touchdowns on 42 catches, the Sooners made it a priority to bolster the tight end roster during the offseason. They welcomed transfers Carson Kent from Kennesaw State and Will Huggins from Pittsburg State. However, the duo combined for only six catches, totaling 47 yards without finding the end zone.
Jaren Kanak emerged as a bright spot for the Sooners amid the tight end struggles. Originally a linebacker, Kanak played 39 games and earned 10 starts from 2022 to 2024, but he felt his future at the position was limited after a season of limited impact. Eager for a change, Kanak proposed to coaches the idea of moving to the offensive side of the ball.
Against all odds, Kanak thrived in his new role as the team’s leading tight end. He began the season explosively, securing five catches for 90 yards in the opener against Illinois State, followed by five catches for 69 yards versus Michigan and four catches for 86 yards against Temple. However, as the season progressed, his production saw a decline. From the Kent State game on October 4 through the Missouri game on November 22, Kanak managed only three catches or 30 yards in each game.
Despite a drop in performance, Kanak remained significantly more productive than his peers at the position. The combination of Huggins, Kent, and Kaden Helms accounted for just 11 catches, 82 yards, and a single touchdown throughout the season. Kanak did record six catches for 54 yards in the regular-season finale against LSU, yet he ended the season without a touchdown. Helms was the only tight end to score during the season, with a three-yard reception against Kent State.
Kanak’s final season stats reflected a remarkable transition; he finished with 44 catches for 533 yards, marking the most impressive numbers for an Oklahoma tight end since Joe Jon Finley joined the staff in 2021. Prior to Kanak, Bauer Sharp had set the reception record under Finley with 42 in 2024, while Brayden Willis boasted the records for receiving yards and touchdowns with 514 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022.
With Kanak and Huggins finishing their eligibility and Kent and Helms entering the transfer portal, the Sooners will be tasked with another important offseason makeover at the tight end position. Moving forward, consistent production from this essential spot will be critical for Oklahoma’s offensive success.