3 toughest goodbyes for Oklahoma fans after CFP loss to Alabama

Some goodbyes are just harder than others.

Nineteen seniors on Oklahoma's roster, and likely even more players, just played their final game on Friday night in the Sooners' 34-24 loss to Alabama at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Of those who are out of eligibility and for sure not returning in 2026, some are harder than others for OU fans to say goodbye to between impact on the field and just being a rare case today of a player who spent most of or all of his career in Oklahoma.

Jaren Kanak, TE

They don't make players like Jaren Kanak in college football anymore. Fans first fell in love with Kanak because of his witty humor on social media as he spent his entire career at OU despite being a backup most of the time and even losing a starting role at linebacker at one point.

Then, when it looked to finally be Kanak's turn to step up on defense, the Sooners needed help on the other side of the ball, so Kanak converted to tight end for his final season. In his first and only season at tight end, Kanak caught 44 passes for 533 yards and was named All-SEC Third Team.

Whether it was buying his time as a reserve or on special teams, or even switching positions to make his team better, Kanak was always loyal to the Sooners, and was also the most entertaining interview.

Febechi Nwaiwu, OL

Febechi Nwaiwu has been a rare staple along the Sooners' offensive line the past two seasons after transferring from North Texas. As the group around him couldn't stay healthy, Nwaiwu never missed a game as a Sooner while starting all 26 games. He spent his entire OU career at right guard, but when the Sooners were in need at center, Nwaiwu played there for the final two games of his career, and did a dang good job there, too.

R Mason Thomas, DE

R Mason Thomas was a Sooner his entire career even when he could have entered the Transfer Portal and started a bidding war for more money. OU head coach Brent Venables even admitted that Thomas was offered “well over seven figures” by other college football programs to transfer from Oklahoma last offseason.

A quad injury suffered while returning a fumble for a touchdown against Tennessee hampered Thomas' senior campaign, but even after missing three games, he was still second on the team with 6.5 sacks and was named First-Team All-SEC. After contributing as a freshman, Thomas played in 42 career games as a Sooner and will likely continue representing OU in the NFL.