CJ Nickson's position change opens up opportunity for him to show off freak athleticism

Coming out of Weatherford High School (OK) in 2025 as a consensus four-star recruit, CJ Nickson's scouting report on 247Sports claimed he was talented enough to play on either side of the ball at the FBS level. Now, he gets to prove it.

Nickson is now listed as a tight end on the Oklahoma Sooners' 2026 roster after playing defensive end last year as a freshman. The position switch was first reported by SoonerScoop's Parker Thune before OU's updated roster confirmed the move just days before the Sooners kick off their season against UTEP at 7 p.m. CT Friday at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Oklahoma moves CJ Nickson to potentially unlock more from the elite talent

Nickson is no stranger to playing all over the place thanks to his rare versatility. Defensively, he lined up at edge rusher, linebacker and would even cover slot receivers in high school. He was just as vital on offense, with nearly 2,000 career receiving yards and 23 touchdowns at Weatherford High School.

At one point, it was in question which position Nickson would even play in college because of his versatility. He ultimately ended up as the No. 16 edge rusher in the 2025 class, per the 247Sports Composite, with offers from the likes of Auburn, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech and more.

To further prove Nickson's freak athleticism, he also had multiple reported Division-I offers as a basketball player, including from local programs Tulsa and Oral Roberts. Just looking at Nickson also makes it obvious he's a unique specimen, listed at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds. All that influenced Nickson to be on 247Sports’ 2025 Freaks List.

Once at OU, though, Nickson redshirted and didn't see the field in 2025 while being buried on what was probably the Sooners' deepest position last season. The Sooners are deep once again on the edge, which likely led to Nickson switching sides of the ball to find more playing time.

Nickson gives the Sooners nine tight ends listed on the roster now for a position that was completely transformed over the offseason under new assistant Jason Witten.

OU last year also converted linebacker Jaren Kanak to tight end, but that move was made out of a lot more desperation than the Sooners have now. Kanak wasn't bad while leading the position with 533 receiving yards and impressed enough for the Tennessee Titans to draft him as a tight end in the seventh round. Kanak, though, did struggle holding his own in run blocking.

Not that Kanak was a failed experiment and was a spectacular athlete himself, but Nickson could be even better as a tight end if it's a long-term change, which is still unknown. His size gives him a better chance than Kanak had in SEC trenches. He also has the catch ability and speed to succeed in the passing game so he won't be just a one-diminsional tight end.

The Sooners defintely got an elite talent with Nickson, and the sudden move to tight end could be what unlocks his potential.

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