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Oklahoma Sooners budding star proves doubters wrong with sensational debut at new position in season opening win

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By AJ Schulte | Last updated Aug 31, 2025 1:12 AM ET

It came as a bit of a surprise when the Oklahoma Sooners announced that former linebacker Jaren Kanak would be moving to tight end in new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's offense.

The move was initially met with some skeptic optimism, and fans took it as both an indictment of the tight end room and Kanak's ability on the field. However, as the offseason progressed, Kanak began to shine at his new position in practice, and fans took notice as the buzz began to build. Still, there was some concern about how he would fare when the bullets started flying in game.

I'd say he passed his first test with a sensational showing against Illinois State.

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Jaren Kanak Makes Sensational Debut

The biggest surprise to me in Oklahoma's Week 1 game was just how natural Jaren Kanak played at tight end. It shouldn't have been a surprise, given his experience there in high school, but he played well enough there that I'm starting to wonder why he wasn't there full-time.

I dare say that this was the best game from a Sooners' tight end in years. I haven't seen a Sooner make the plays that Kanak did since Mark Andrews was still threatening up the seam for Oklahoma and that was almost a decade ago.

Kanak's 90 yards receiving was the most any Oklahoma tight end since Brayden Willis caught 102 against Kansas in 2022.

The most impressive part was the variety of ways Kanak was involved. He was threatening up the seam as a vertical threat, he caught screen passes, he was getting catches over the middle, and Oklahoma lined him up all over the formation.

For a position that the Sooners absolutely needed to find an answer, Kanak stepped up and showed his prowess as Oklahoma's solution there. The tests will only get tougher from here, but this was an outstanding first game for Kanak at a new position, proving the initial skepticism was silly.

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

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