Oklahoma desperately needs a tight end, but there's only one worth getting in the transfer portal

The Oklahoma Sooners have just one more shot at filling their need at tight end before the 2025 college football season.

OU entered the spring transfer cycle as a potential big-time buyer, and has already landed a needed offensive lineman in Jake Maikkula from Stanford and the No. 1 available running back in Jaydn Ott from California.

The Sooners still have more holes to fill, though, particularly at tight end, wide receiver, kicker, and maybe even another offensive lineman. However, unlike in the winter and even though there were hundreds of entrants this week, there are still slim pickings in the transfer portal this spring, at least to get a player that will actually benefit a program like OU.

OU's biggest need is probably tight end, and that might just be the the thinnest position of all in the transfer portal, with just one real option worth the Sooners' time and effort to get to Norman.

Sooners after former Missouri State TE Lance Mason

Former Missouri State tight end Lance Mason has scheduled three visits to OU, Cal and Wisconsin, according to multiple reports. For a program like OU needing a tight end, Mason was the obvious, and maybe even only, choice.

According to 247Sports, the top available tight end in the transfer portal this spring is Davon Mitchell, who is ironically transferring from OU. Although a talented and promising player, he's still not someone the Sooners wanted around.

Mitchell was a consensus four-star recruit in the 2024 class with high expectations, but he never even played a snap for the Sooners. He reportedly missed several practices and team activities this spring, and the Sooners let him walk after redshirting last season.

Regardless, Mitchell leaving added to the Sooners' need at tight end since he had the highest hopes to be a viable target in the passing game. OU added three tight ends during the winter cycle, but none had Power Four experience or have ever been threats as pass-catchers. The Sooners also converted linebacker Jaren Kanak to tight end.

Although 247Sports ranks Mason at No. 5 at the position, he's the clear top option for OU as a pass-catching tight end. He led all FCS tight ends in receiving hards last year on his way to being named an Associated Press All-America honorable mention honoree.

Last season in eight starts, Mason, listed at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, had 34 receptions, 590 yards and six touchdowns. He's a vertical threat even as a tight end, averaging 17.4 yards a catch last season.

Mason has one year of eligibility left.

If the Sooners whiff on missing Mason, it will be an even more disappointing cycle than the last for tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley. Other best options include one of the biggest busts ever as a five-star prospect and no players with more than 300 career receiving yards.