Oklahoma Sooners tight ends position could use Trey Millard

Oct 13, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Trey Millard (33) leaps over Texas Longhorns safety Adrian Phillips (17) during the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

When I attended OU in the late ‘90s, we had a tight end named Stephen Alexander who was one of the key weapons in the Oklahoma Sooners game plan. At that time, it was not surprising, as the Oklahoma Sooners tight ends position was always impressive. Even when OU was a wishbone running team, Keith Jackson was there to catch the ball. Add in names like Steve Zabel, Forrest Valora, Bubba Moses, Trent Smith, and Jermaine Gresham, and the tight end position at OU has always been legendary.

Flash forward to 2012 and there was not an Oklahoma Sooners tight end on the team that even deserved to catch a pass. It was a huge letdown for long-time Sooners fans. According to sources, there is a chance that OU will try to implement the tight end more in its game plans in 2013. No one will confuse any tight end on this team to Keith Jackson, but there is one name that could be a huge weapon out of the tight end position.

Trey Millard.

The Sooners have to find a way to get Millard more involved in the offense, and with four solid running backs vying for carries, using him as a fullback on swing passes and a tight end off the line could find a way to get the ball into the hands of one of Oklahoma’s best playmakers on offense.

Plus, he could be the perfect security blanket for Blake Bell or Trevor Knight as they try to find their way as a starting Oklahoma Sooners’ quarterback. Getting Millard involved in the Oklahoma Sooners tight ends game could really help the Sooners in both the passing game and running game, as he could help open holes for runners based on his positioning as a receiving threat on that line.

However, what will happen when Trey Millard graduates at the end of this season? OU has names like Taylor McNamara and Sam Grant trying to improve, so there is a chance one of them could step up later in the season. However, for this year, Trey Millard leading the Oklahoma Sooners tight ends could be a perfect fit.

"Follow Shawn S. Lealos on Twitter @sslealos."