Oklahoma Sooners fan favorite Jaren Kanak reflects on unforgettable career ‘It means everything to me’
Oklahoma Sooners star tight end Jaren Kanak was emotional, reflecting on his career as a Sooner.
The Oklahoma Sooners enjoyed a remarkable breakout season from linebacker turned tight end Jaren Kanak in 2025. Kanak, one of the first recruits Brent Venables brought to the Sooners in his first ever recruiting class, made the decision to switch over from linebacker to tight end because it felt “natural” for him and linebacker never clicked.
What mattered most in his decision, however, was that he wanted no regrets in his career at Oklahoma. In his own words, “I wanted to end my time at Oklahoma leaving nothing to chance. This was my last opportunity to give back to them what they gave to me, and I wanted to do it on my terms where I was the most comfortable.”
I caught up with Kanak at the East-West Shrine Bowl over the weekend. What I found was a player grateful for every step of the journey and proud to have been an Oklahoma Sooner.
Jaren Kanak emotional on Oklahoma journey
I asked Kanak what Oklahoma means to him, and why did he stick around when so many players in this day and age leave with no playing time. His answer, naturally, summed up what every Sooners fan feels about the team.
“Being a Sooner means everything to me, from the first time I stepped on to campus. The OU brotherhood is a real thing, and you can see it, you can feel it, and you can recognize it with all the former players who stick around the team. These former players are always coming back, they’re always talking about this OU brotherhood, this OUDNA. It’s a real thing that spans generations. It’s a real culture with high standards and success, a true blue-blood program that you want to be happy a part of, and I’m happy to have been an Oklahoma Sooner.”
I do wonder what could have been with Kanak and the Sooners had he been able to stay on offense for his whole career, but he did tell me that playing linebacker helped him immensely at tight end and that he has “no regrets” over the process. If he doesn’t, how can I speculate?
Kanak now prepares for the NFL, where he is likely to be a full-time offensive player on the next leg of his journey. If he can be paired with a creative offensive coordinator, I’m really intrigued by what his role and production can be. His athleticism and intangibles make him a strong prospect in the upcoming draft, and he’s a player that Sooner fans will remember fondly for years to come.
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