After a lot of disappointment in the talent tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley has brought to Oklahoma, this one finally seems promising.
Tight end Tyler Ruxer on Monday announced his commitment to the Sooners after previously releasing a final six of OU, Duke, West Virginia, Northwestern, Purdue and Minnesota.
Breaking: 4⭐️ Tight End Tyler Ruxer of Lincoln City, Indiana has committed to OU.
— The REF (@KREFsports) July 7, 2025
Listed at 6-4, 220 pounds, Ruxer is ranked as the No. 1 player in Indiana, the No. 9 tight end and the No. 164 overall player by ON3.
Ruxer chose OU over WVU, Purdue, Duke and others. pic.twitter.com/0tjAC0Gz3B
Tight end Tyler Ruxer commits to Oklahoma in 2026 recruiting class
Ruxer is a 6-foot-4 and 220-pound bruiser out of Heritage Hills High School in Indiana. He had an impressive junior season with Heritage Hills, catching 43 passes for 893 yards and 12 touchdowns. Even at his size, Ruxer also reportedly runs a 4.61‑second 40-yard dash.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Ruxer is a three-star recruit and No. 25 tight end in the 2026 class. However, Rivals is higher on Ruxer and has him as a four-star prospect.
The Sooners already had one 2026 tight end committed in three-star Ryder Mix from Frisco, Texas. Based on the 247Sports Composite, Ruxer is barely a better prospect, with Mix ranked 26th at tight end, one spot behind Ruxer. Mix is also listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds.
OU just missed out on junior college tight end Josiah Jefferson, who is the top JUCO prospect and brother of former OU safety Tony Jefferson.
Finley has struggled with bolstering his position group, as tight end seems to be OU's weakest position heading into the 2025 college football season. He had a lackluster portal class this offseason with three transfers without Power Four experience and none were impressive at lower levels either. He then failed to land top transfer tight end Lance Mason from Missouri State during the spring window.
It did seem Finley found a star in the 2024 class with four-star recruit Davon Mitchell, but he never saw the field before transferring during the spring. Last season's leading receiver Bauer Sharp, a tight end, also transferred to LSU during the winter.
The Sooners have at least achieved their goal of adding size to the position to better suit the SEC. There could also be hope that new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle doesn't plan on needing tight ends much as pass-catchers in his system.
Read more about OU football recruiting