NORMAN — Tight end was one of the biggest question marks for Oklahoma through the spring and fall. At least for this weekend’s season opener against Illinois State (5 p.m. Saturday, ESPN+), the Sooners are closer to an answer. Jaren Kanak was listed as the sole starter at tight end on Monday’s depth chart, followed […]
NORMAN — Tight end was one of the biggest question marks for Oklahoma through the spring and fall.
At least for this weekend’s season opener against Illinois State (5 p.m. Saturday, ESPN+), the Sooners are closer to an answer.
Jaren Kanak was listed as the sole starter at tight end on Monday’s depth chart, followed by Will Huggins and Carson Kent. Tight end was one of only nine position groups on either offense or defense that didn’t have an “OR” listed next to the start atop the depth chart.
There was a really competitive battle at tight end during preseason camp, but OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle saw Kanak emerge.
“Jaren was absolutely consistent all fall camp — not just in his play but how he was in the film room and studies, being in the building,” Arbuckle said Tuesday. “The best thing that Jaren did at practice, when the ball came his way, he made a play. That was really exciting, and again I say consistent with that; he was consistently making the play. He’s someone who understands where he’s supposed to be in certain concepts, how to run the route and body-position himself to get open.
“I think he built a really good rapport with John (Mateer), and so Jaren went out there, and he earned it. That’s not to say those other guys haven’t done an unbelievable job; they’re all still going to play too, but Jaren earned the right to run out there first.”
The transition from linebacker to tight end has been a significant one for Kanak. In addition to learning an entirely different position, there’s been a huge physical adjustment as he’s trained to play on the other side of the ball.
It’s not going to be smooth-sailing. Kanak — listed at 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds — is a little undersized for a traditional linebacker. He’s also unproven as a pass-catcher, and there’s certainly a question mark about how much he can contribute to the offense.
But one that has never been doubted about Kanak is his work ethic.
“I’ve always been a physical football player, I like to say, and obviously, being undersized at the position that I play, I kind of got to bring that edge of having a little bit of grit to me and a little bit of aggression,” Kanak said earlier this month. “And I have natural leverage as Coach Finley says. It’s a nice way of calling me short. But I have very natural leverage, so I can get up and under guys and really be physical with them.”
Just like other position groups, there will be a heavy rotation at tight end. Huggins and Kent will see plenty of snaps against Illinois State. Kaden Helms, who broke his arm early in camp, isn’t listed on the depth chart but will certainly be in the rotation when he returns. It’s unclear how the rotation will shake out, or how exactly the Arbuckle and the Sooners will utilize the tight ends.
But there’s no doubt that Kanak has earned the starting job for the season opener.
“From the start, from January, he’s been in the building, coaches say more than me,” Mateer joked. “I’ll be honest, I hate that. But it’s true. He was in here watching film, watching tape. Rolling out, doing everything he could, and he’s getting out what he put in.
“Really proud of him and really excited for him.”
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Category: General Sports
