Breaking News: Oklahoma absorbs a crushing blow after four‑star tight end’s decision
Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class took a dramatic hit this week, as in‑state four‑star tight end Nate Roberts—ranked among the nation’s top targets—has broken from the Sooners’ pursuit and committed elsewhere. In a ripple felt across the Norman campus, the Sooners’ dreams of adding a hometown star at one of the most pivotal positions this offseason have been dashed.
Roberts, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound standout from Washington High in Washington, Oklahoma, had long been a central figure in Oklahoma’s tight end plans. Following his initial pledge to Notre Dame on June 17, 2023, Roberts became the primary target of a months-long offensive by Oklahoma’s coaching staff. With both Joe Jon Finley (tight ends coach) and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell leading the charge, the Sooners had continuously maintained close contact and expressed confidence in flipping him (
Despite that confidence, on [exact decision date needed: user did not specify], Roberts opted for another program, leaving Sooners insiders scrambling. The setback underscores the mounting challenge Oklahoma faces at a position that has struggled through 2023 and whose performance remains pivotal as the Sooners prepare for their inaugural season in the SEC.
Inside sources with SoonerScoop and On3 had been tellingly optimistic that Oklahoma’s persistence would pay off—with On3’s RPM even forecasting an 83% likelihood of a flip. But at the press conference announcing his decommitment from Notre Dame earlier this week, Roberts’ departure from the Sooners loop seemed inevitable.
Roberts’ stats speak volumes: as a sophomore, he notched 33 catches for 705 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging an eye-popping 21.4 yards per reception and leading his team to a 15–0 season and a state championship . Deemed by On3 as the No. 2 tight end nationally and No. 61 overall in the 2025 class, his commitment was expected to be a standard‑bearer for Oklahoma’s class-wide aspirations
Now, with Roberts out of play, concern is mounting at the position. Finley’s 2023 tight ends produced just 20 receptions, 252 yards and two touchdowns—some of the weakest production charts at that position in a decade . In 2022, All‑Big 12 tight end Brayden Willis accounted for most of the output; but in 2023 both Austin Stogner and Blake Smith departed—the former via eligibility expiration and the latter through the transfer portal .
Despite long odds, Finley and Littrell have a proven track record of developing tight ends: at Missouri, Texas A&M, Ole Miss—and Littrell’s stint in Arizona working with Rob Gronkowski—have yielded notable NFL talent . But without incoming elite HS prospects, the Sooners’ tight end room risks looking thin as they transition to life in the SEC.
Adding insult to injury, Oklahoma did land 2024 re‑classified four-star tight end Davon Mitchell, who stepped up to join the program a year early . He showed flashes during bowl practices but struggled to consistently impact games . While Mitchell remains a hopeful anchor, his youth and experience level leave room for skepticism.
Oklahoma has also worked the transfer portal in recent seasons, securing experienced players like Pittsburg State’s Will Huggins, but those additions are mostly viewed as depth pieces—not game‑changing recruits . Moreover, TE Bauer Sharp—who transferred in for 2024—has since re‑entered the transfer portal and moved on to LSU, leaving another hole in Norman’s squad
Fan reaction to the Roberts loss has been swift and pointed. On Sooner forums and social media, frustration is clear:“Without being serious contenders? He initially committed to OU, lol.”“That bridge was burned by Joe Jon Finley, who fucked up his recruitment…”
Placing some blame on national recruiting upheaval, others simply lamented the internal miscues:“The ball was dropped on recruiting him.”
Oklahoma’s athletic director and head coach have emphasized that the program is not giving up on finishing the tight end room. With prospects like DaSaahn Brame (4‑star, Derby, Kansas) still in the mix, there may yet be hopeful news before Signing Day (SI). Additionally, the staff has shifted emphasis toward Texas and Midwest targets and the transfer portal, balancing pipeline planning with immediate needs.
Strategically, Oklahoma will need to make roster depth a priority. The Sooners were officially rated No. 4 in On3’s Industry Football Team recruiting rankings for 2025—an admirable showing—but missing a player of Roberts’ caliber could tilt momentum toward other elite programs in the crowded recruiting landscape
The implications extend beyond the lineup. The tight end position is essential to both blocking schemes and strategic passing sets—particularly in SEC play, where physicality demands versatility. A lack of depth in that spot could force finite adjustments for offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who already entered the season in need of fresh playmakers to assist quarterback John Mateer .
Off the field, empty spaces are opening in the narrative. Rutgers and Kansas State still face decisions from four-star TE Chase Loftin from Omaha, another local target; but Oklahoma must climb the board before commitments slip away . Meanwhile, Nate Roberts appears to be charting a course elsewhere—if public forum chatter holds weight, the Sooners may need to refocus on other regional gems, or pivot quickly to fill holes via portal acquisition.
Despite the setback, Sooner coaches continue to press. Joe Jon Finley and the staff are reported to be routinely meeting with upperclassman prospects about potential transfers and tracking junior college standouts for possibilities to reinforce the tight end room ahead of SEC play.
The wider fanbase has taken note. While concerns echo in message boards, boosters and donors—proud of class rankings and overall momentum—are rightfully alarmed by the loss of a high-end, in-state target. The pressure is on to respond swiftly before recruits are lost to rival suitors like Texas, LSU, Cincinnati, and others. In the high-stakes theater of modern recruiting, timing is everything.
Oklahoma’s football leadership now faces a pivotal recruiting juncture: address one of the most glaring positional weaknesses in real time to maintain competitiveness in the 2025 season. With the SEC looming, and a historically vital tight end slot now unfilled, the Sooners must find playmakers who can deliver physical blocking, reliable pass-catching, and sideline-to-sideline athleticism.
Their ability to bounce back and secure elite talent—whether through the portal or late bloomers—could define the season before it begins. In the aftermath of Nate Roberts’ departure, the Sooners’ next 30 days will reveal whether this is simply a bump in the road—or one whose impact reaches far deeper into Norman’s SEC aspirations.
The University of Oklahoma will now regroup, reassess its tight end strategy, and pour energy into late targets. Recruiting coordinator buzz centers on re-engaging Brame and exploring new names, while reinforcement efforts escalate. As cooler heads strategize, fans and pundits alike watch closely: this blow may define the emergence—or the stagnation—of Oklahoma’s blueprint in a transformational year.
