Oklahoma's Rocky Beers Named Semifinalist for John Mackey Tight End Award

Oklahoma tight end Rocky Beers has had a breakout season, and now he's getting recognition for it.

The sixth-year tight end has been named a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which is given out to the top tight end in college football. Based on Beers' numbers, he has certainly earned his seat at the table.

Currently, Beers leads all tight ends in the SEC in receiving yards per game at 57.6, which is also the fifth-highest in the nation. He also has four touchdown receptions, which already marks the most by a Sooner tight end in a single season since Brayden Willis hauled in seven back in 2022.

Beers has been a welcomed addition to the Sooners' offense this season. Oklahoma has had their share of struggles at the tight end spot in recent memory. The program one known for producing some of the all-time greats like Keith Jackson, Jermaine Gresham, and Mark Andrews, hasn't seen anyone thrive at the position the last few years.

Enter Jason Witten.

The Cowboys' legendary tight end was hired this past offseason as the Sooners' new tight ends coach, and he completely revitalized the room, led by Beers. Under Witten's direction, the Oklahoma tight ends' group has been unequivocally the Sooners' best position group on offense this season.

With Beers leading the way, Witten's work has been so impressive that he got the call-up to be the interim offensive coordinator and play-caller, after Ben Arbuckle was dismissed from the role.

Beers had a long road to end up in Norman. He began his college career at Air Force, followed by stops at FIU, and Colorado State. His sister Regan transferred to Oklahoma for her final two seasons, and was an All-American, helping lead the Sooners Women's Basketball squad to back-to-back Sweet Sixteen apperances.

After Regan departed for the pros, Rocky made his way to Norman to join the Sooners himself and hasn't looked back. He has registered multiple receptions in every game this season and at least four catches in seven of nine contests. He has recorded at least 40 receiving yards in seven games and at least 65 yards three times. Eight of his receptions and three of his touchdowns have been from 20 yards or longer, and his three catches of at least 40 yards are tied for most on the team.  

Beers could go from finalist to semifinalist on November 24th, with the award being handed out on December 11th, as apart of the Home Depot College Football Awards.

The Sooners' tight end will be in action this Saturday, as Oklahoma will face No. 19 Ole Miss at 3:15 p.m. CT in Norman.