NORMAN — The Oklahoma Sooners entered the offseason determined to repair an offense that struggled at times last season despite a College Football Playoff appearance. One of the most visible changes came at tight end, where the coaching staff and roster were both reworked in a bid to turn a previously weak unit into a reliable, multiuse piece of the offense.
Coaching change, new faces
Head coach Brent Venables parted ways with Joe Jon Finley at the position and brought in former Dallas Cowboys standout Jason Witten to coach the tight ends. The Sooners also added three transfers to the room: Hayden Hansen from Florida, Rocky Beers from Colorado State and Jack Van Dorselaer from Tennessee.
The combination of an accomplished positional coach and incoming talent was intended to address a unit that had been considered a liability in recent seasons. Early returns during fall camp suggest the changes could pay off.
Van Dorselaer emerges as an all‑around option
Former Oklahoma players and current analysts Gabe Ikard and Teddy Lehman have commented publicly on the newcomer who has drawn more attention in practice than some of the higher-profile transfers. Both singled out Jack Van Dorselaer as an impressive, well-rounded player in the tight end mix.
"If you asked me who is their best all-around tight end, it's No. 88," Ikard said on 'The Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman.'
"It's like the perfect mix of three guys, right?" Lehman added. "Hayden Hansen is your big physical blocker… Rocky Beers is your route runner… and Van Dorselaer, kind of the mixture of both."
The pair’s praise underscores what the coaching staff hopes will be a more balanced set of options at tight end — a group that can contribute in both the run game and the passing game.
Witten’s presence could be pivotal
Beyond the roster additions, the Sooners’ decision to hire Jason Witten carries weight because of his extensive playing and coaching background at the position. Observers noted that Witten’s experience could accelerate development, particularly for players who arrived from other programs and must learn a new system.
Sources close to the program say Oklahoma didn’t simply add bodies to the room; it invested in coaching and a mix of skill sets designed to produce versatility. If the tight ends become dependable contributors on offense, the Sooners could field a more balanced attack this season.
What this means for the offense
Oklahoma’s offense enters the 2026 season with clear priorities: improve protection, diversify the playbook and create more mismatches by using tight ends in multiple roles. The revamped tight end room offers a potential path to all three goals, should the position group translate camp performance into game-day production.
- Coaching: Jason Witten replaces Joe Jon Finley as tight ends coach.
- Transfers added: Hayden Hansen (Florida), Rocky Beers (Colorado State), Jack Van Dorselaer (Tennessee).
- Early evaluations: Van Dorselaer singled out by former Sooner players as the best all‑around tight end in camp.
Roster snapshot
| Player | Previous School | Role Noted |
|---|---|---|
| Hayden Hansen | Florida | Physical blocker |
| Rocky Beers | Colorado State | Route runner |
| Jack Van Dorselaer | Tennessee | All‑around mix |
Even with optimistic reports from camp and endorsements from former Sooners, the most important measure will be in-season performance. Tight ends must show consistency in key game situations — blocking assignments in the running game, effective route running and reliable pass catching — before the position can be considered a true strength.
For now, the storyline is straightforward: the Sooners have changed personnel and coaching at tight end, and early practice evaluations, including praise for Van Dorselaer, suggest the gamble could yield a more versatile offensive unit.
Coverage of Oklahoma football continues as the team moves through fall camp and into the 2026 season. Follow local reporting for updates on roster decisions and how the tight end room translates practice success into game impact.
