A Glimmer of Hope? The Sooners Just Made a Move That Could Finally Fix Their Tight End Struggles — Could This Be the Breakthrough?
Norman, OK – After years of inconsistency and underwhelming performances at the tight end position, the Oklahoma Sooners might finally have found the game-changer fans have been craving. The commitment of Tyler Ruxer, a highly-touted 2026 recruit from Lincoln City, Indiana, is being hailed as a potential turning point for a position group that has long struggled to find stability and star power.
Ruxer, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound standout from Heritage Hills High School, announced his commitment to OU on Monday, choosing the Sooners over a competitive final six that included Duke, West Virginia, Purdue, Northwestern, and Minnesota. According to ON3, he is the No. 1 player in Indiana, the No. 9 tight end nationally, and No. 164 overall in the 2026 class.
For a program that has missed on several tight end targets in recent years — and even lost promising prospects like Davon Mitchell and Bauer Sharp to the transfer portal — Ruxer’s pledge is more than just another name on the commitment list. It represents a long-awaited shift in momentum.
🔍 Why This Commitment Matters for OU
Head coach Brent Venables and tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley have faced mounting pressure to revitalize the tight end position, especially as the Sooners prepare for full SEC integration. Finley, in particular, has struggled to land and retain high-impact talent, drawing criticism for both recruiting misses and lackluster player development.
This offseason, the tight end room looked especially thin. OU struck out in the transfer portal, failing to land top JUCO prospect Josiah Jefferson and missing on Lance Mason (Missouri State). Instead, they brought in three transfers with no Power Four experience and limited production.
The Sooners did secure a commitment from Ryder Mix, a three-star recruit from Texas, but the addition of Ruxer — ranked just ahead of Mix nationally — gives the team depth, size, and athletic upside. Ruxer’s 43 receptions, 893 yards, and 12 touchdowns during his junior season — paired with a reported 4.61-second 40-yard dash — make him a legitimate dual threat as both a blocker and pass-catcher.
📈 Tight End in the Arbuckle Era
New offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle may also bring a shift in how tight ends are utilized. Known for high-tempo, pass-heavy systems, Arbuckle’s offense might de-emphasize traditional tight end routes — or reinvent how they’re deployed in space. That flexibility could be exactly what Ruxer needs to thrive early in his career.
Moreover, with Ruxer and Mix both standing at 6’4″ and weighing 220 pounds, OU appears to be building a prototype: big, athletic tight ends who can contribute immediately in SEC-level physical matchups.
