Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Can converted defender Jaren Kanak be the missing piece for the Oklahoma Sooners' offense under Ben Arbuckle?

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By AJ Schulte | Last updated May 18, 2025 9:17 PM ET

One of the more surprising developments of the offseason for the Oklahoma Sooners was linebacker Jaren Kanak converting over to the offensive side of the ball, switching over to tight end.

Oklahoma was desperate for help at tight end, which likely provided some of the rationale for moving Kanak over. However, many were surprised, given the Sooners' lack of depth at linebacker after their departures in the offseason.

Nevertheless, Kanak moved over to offense, and many are wondering just how impactful Kanak can be in his final season and first on the offensive side of the ball. For my money, I actually think Kanak can be a pretty intriguing cog for what is shaping up to be an explosive offense for the Sooners in 2025.

Let's not forget how unbelievable Kanak is as an athlete. As a junior weighing ~200 pounds, Kanak ran a 10.37 in the 100M and a 22.06 in the 200M. There's an argument to be made that Kanak is pound-for-pound the best pure athlete on the Sooners' roster.

Jaren Kanak of Hays HS 10.37 FAT 100 at WAC meet. Just a junior and a rising star FBS football recruit. Hasn’t ran track since the 7th grade. 6-2 210 lbs. 5A state 100 meter dash could be best it’s ever been in 2021 (Smith 10.36, Kanak 10.37, Benson 10.55). Unreal #sportsinkansas pic.twitter.com/jkEnoh96CI
— Sports in Kansas (@sportsinkansas) May 14, 2021

If we cast our memories back a few years, remember the fullback/tight end hybrids that Lincoln Riley and Bob Stoops had success with on offense? Players like Dimitri Flowers, Trey Millard, Brayden Willis, and Jeremiah Hall were underrated cogs on the Sooners' offense over the last decade.

There are 36 days until #Sooner football, so how about a 36 yard touchdown from Dimitri Flowers against Ohio State?#OUDNA pic.twitter.com/MNlfw3Hkbs
— Sooners Insider (@SoonersInsider) July 25, 2024

That's the kind of vision I believe this staff has for Kanak and his usage this season. While he perhaps won't be blocking in-line as often as the rest of this list, Kanak can be that extra missing cog the Sooners haven't had.

While Oklahoma's offense is full of talented threats like Deion Burks, Javonnie Gibson, Isaiah Sategna, Jaydn Ott, and youngster Elijah Thomas, they need as many unique mismatch weapons as they can find on offense, and Kanak can fill that as an H-back option.

He has all the promise to be an electric receiver for the Sooners and has reportedly already impressed here in camp. I'm excited to see what Oklahoma's staff and new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle can dial up for him.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: