Former Oklahoma football TE returns from retirement
By Chip Rouse
Former Oklahoma football tight end Grant Calcaterra retired during his junior season a year ago because of concussions.
But he is coming out of retirement and returning to the gridiron, only not as a Sooner. Calcaterra has announced that he is entering the transfer portal.
In a statement posted to his Twitter account, the former Sooner tight end wrote:
"“This is something I have been thinking about since the day I stepped away. I owed myself the time to reflect on the best decision for me. Ultimately, my love and passion for the game and my desire to accomplish my goals are the reasons for my return.”"
Calcaterra played in just five games for Oklahoma last season before announcing he was stepping away from the game. He caught five passes for 79 yards in the 2019 season. The year before, however, he played in all 14 games for the Sooners, 11 of them starts, and pulled in 26 receptions for 396 yards and six touchdowns and led all Big 12 receivers in receiving yards. He averaged 15.2 yards per catch in 2018 as a sophomore.
He earned a First-Team All-Big 12 selection his sophomore season. After his sophomore year, some NFL scouts and draft experts considered Calcaterra an NFL Draft prospect.
Austin Stogner, a 6-foot, 6-inch sophomore and former four-star prospect from Plano, Texas, is the presumptive starting tight end for the Sooners entering the 2020 season,, and another four-star recruit, Jalin Conyers will also compete for playing time as a newcomer this season.
“It means something different when you’ve been without the game. By any means necessary, I’m back. And I’m better,” Calcaterra said in ending his Twitter message.