- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,264,040
- Reaction score
- 59
The Oklahoma Sooners have had a glaring weakness on the offensive side of the ball for the last few seasons that has hindered the offense's performance. The Sooners lacked the talent and body types at the tight end position to compete in the SEC.
That's why head coach Brent Venables made a major change this offseason. He parted ways with long-time tight end coach and Sooners alum Joe Jon Finley. He then elected to hire legendary former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, who had been a high school coach in the Dallas area.
Since Witten arrived, he completely changed the room. He brought in Florida Gators transfer Hayden Hansen, Colorado State Rams transfer Rocky Beers and Tennessee Volunteers transfer Jack Van Dorselaer. While attending the Sooners' media days on Tuesday, Witten said the versatility in the room will allow the team to have multiple tight ends on the field at a time.
"Their skill sets are all different," Witten said via The Oklahoman's Colton Sulley on X. "You look at Hayden's body type, compared to Rocky's body type, and then Jack, and we start mixing it in... them being different body types and having different strengths, I think allows you to be more versatile. The emphasis for me coming in here, okay, well here's an area that's not our strength, we've got to close that gap so that it makes sense for us to be in this personnel set."
Oklahoma's tight end room does not need to become the best in the country overnight, but it does need to become a reliable part of the offense. Last season, defenses could focus on the Sooners' wide receivers and running game because the tight end position did not consistently create matchup problems.
With Witten leading the room and multiple transfers bringing different skill sets, Oklahoma now has the personnel to become much more versatile. If the group can contribute as blockers, pass catchers and red-zone threats, it could be one of the biggest improvements for an offense trying to make the jump from playoff contender to national championship contender.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Jason Witten explains why OU's tight end room will be more versatile
Continue reading...
That's why head coach Brent Venables made a major change this offseason. He parted ways with long-time tight end coach and Sooners alum Joe Jon Finley. He then elected to hire legendary former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, who had been a high school coach in the Dallas area.
Since Witten arrived, he completely changed the room. He brought in Florida Gators transfer Hayden Hansen, Colorado State Rams transfer Rocky Beers and Tennessee Volunteers transfer Jack Van Dorselaer. While attending the Sooners' media days on Tuesday, Witten said the versatility in the room will allow the team to have multiple tight ends on the field at a time.
"Their skill sets are all different," Witten said via The Oklahoman's Colton Sulley on X. "You look at Hayden's body type, compared to Rocky's body type, and then Jack, and we start mixing it in... them being different body types and having different strengths, I think allows you to be more versatile. The emphasis for me coming in here, okay, well here's an area that's not our strength, we've got to close that gap so that it makes sense for us to be in this personnel set."
Oklahoma's tight end room does not need to become the best in the country overnight, but it does need to become a reliable part of the offense. Last season, defenses could focus on the Sooners' wide receivers and running game because the tight end position did not consistently create matchup problems.
With Witten leading the room and multiple transfers bringing different skill sets, Oklahoma now has the personnel to become much more versatile. If the group can contribute as blockers, pass catchers and red-zone threats, it could be one of the biggest improvements for an offense trying to make the jump from playoff contender to national championship contender.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Jason Witten explains why OU's tight end room will be more versatile
Continue reading...
