Oklahoma tight end Hayden Hansen, in his first meeting with local media, came with good news.
The biggest concern for the Sooners heading into the 2026 college football season was the run game after it's been anemic the past few years and was near the bottom of the SEC last season. OU head coach Brent Venables didn't shy away before spring camp started that it was a disappointment that needed to improve, and guys like Hansen were part of the movement in turning around the Sooners' run game.
Dramatic changes are already benefiting Sooners' lackluster run game
"I've got some news for you guys: it's here and it's looking good," Hansen said of OU's run game after Thursday's practice. "We are running the rock, we are pounding the rock every practice. It's a beautiful thing to see.
"I know that's one of the biggest reasons they brought me here. I take a lot of pride in that. (12 personnel's) looking good, even if it's (11 personel), we are moving the rock and we are doing it well, so it's really exciting."
Hansen was the Sooners' first addition from the Transfer Portal over the offseason after transferring from Florida, where he gained 37 career games worth of experience in the SEC. That included 35 starts total and 25 starts in a row the past two seasons. His receiving numbers didn't pop off the stat sheet, but listed at a monstrous 6-foot-8 and 268 pounds, Hansen was exactly what the Sooners needed at tight end to give a boost in run blocking.
The Sooners completely revamped their tight end group, including at the top with a new position coach in NFL great Jason Witten. Hansen was one of three transfer additions, including Rocky Beers from Colorado State and Jack Van Dorselaer from Tennessee.
Read more: Brent Venables sounds off on Sooners' tight end transformation
There was also a change at running backs coach with Deland McCullough replacing DeMarco Murray, who left to take the same role with the Kansas City Chiefs. That position returns the dynamic 1-2 punch of Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock that combined for 901 rushing yards last season. The Sooners also returned four starting offensive linemen after starting three freshmen up front last year.
The results of all that change and growing pains from last season should be a better run game in the second year of offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's system. Arbuckle also already mentioned during spring camp the immediate improvement he's noticed from OU's run game. And so has Venables.
In fact, everyone that's been asked about OU's run game during spring ball has praised the unit's improvement. But that's expected this time of year. No one is going to admit their team is getting worse while practicing. However, the enthusiasm and confidence behind Hansen's recent statement should instill belief in OU fans that the change has been for the better already in making the Sooners' run game reliable again.