Can Hayden Hansen, with his imposing frame and proven blocking, revitalize the Oklahoma Sooners' tight end legacy?
For the Oklahoma Sooners, the arrival of tight end Hayden Hansen from Florida represents a strategic infusion of size, experience, and untapped potential. Standing at an imposing 6'8 and weighing 269 pounds, Hansen brings a massive frame to Norman that could reshape the team's offensive identity.
As a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining, he's poised to make an immediate impact in 2026, especially in an offense looking to stabilize after a turbulent period at the tight end position.
Oklahoma's history at tight end is storied, producing NFL talents like Jermaine Gresham and Mark Andrews, who combined for Pro Bowl appearances and Super Bowl rings. However, the position has fallen on hard times in recent years, contributing to the firing of tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley.
With the recent hiring of former All-Pro tight end Jason Witten, the hope is that Witten can get the position back to meeting the Sooners' standard.
Last season, Jaren Kanak showed early promise but faded midway through, leaving a void in both blocking and receiving.
Hansen's entry into the transfer portal as a grad transfer couldn't have come at a better time for the Sooners. Ranked as the No. 139 overall prospect in the 247Sports Network's portal player rankings, the three-star transfer is also considered among the top nine tight ends available. His pedigree suggests he could be the catalyst for a positional renaissance.
Hansen's journey to Oklahoma began at Florida, where he carved out a solid role despite limited overall production. Emerging as a redshirt freshman in 2023, he appeared in all 12 games with nine starts, laying the foundation for his reliability. That momentum carried into 2024 and 2025, where he started 25 consecutive games at tight end for the Gators.
In 2025, Hansen recorded 30 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns, numbers that ranked third among all Florida players in receptions and receiving yards. While those stats might not scream elite, they highlight his consistency in a crowded offense.
More impressively, according to Pro Football Focus, 2025 marked his best season as a run blocker, underscoring his reputation as a blocking specialist.
But Hansen is no one-dimensional player. Despite his gargantuan size, he possesses surprising nimbleness and a well-rounded skillset that he's diligently honed.
Before the 2025 season, he was named to the watch list for the Mackey Award (likely a reference to the prestigious John Mackey Award, given to college football's most outstanding tight end). This recognition speaks to his potential as a pass-catcher.
Florida's strength and conditioning coordinator, Tyler Miles, praised Hansen's athletic development in March 2025: "Hayden's always been athletic. A lot of times it's teaching guys how to run properly. They're already the athletic people that they are to get to play this sport, so it's more so about teaching sprint mechanics. And I won't give exact speed, but he has hit his 21. He's doing a great job, and he's weighing the most he's ever weighed. For Hayden, he's been dedicated for a long time now, and it's paying off for him... He's always been great about the weight room, and now he's tying in his nutrition, and it's just paying dividends even more for him."
Such endorsements paint a picture of a player who's not just big but explosive, capable of reaching speeds over 21 mph—a rarity for someone his size.
At Oklahoma, Hansen's attributes align perfectly with the team's offensive goals under coordinator Ben Arbuckle. The Sooners aim to build a balanced attack around quarterback John Mateer, emphasizing efficiency over high-risk plays.
Hansen could serve as a reliable safety net, providing easy first-down options that minimize turnovers. His size makes him an obvious red-zone threat; at 6'8, he's a mismatch nightmare for defenders, capable of high-pointing balls in traffic and creating scoring opportunities in tight spaces.
Imagine Mateer lofting fades to Hansen in the end zone—it's a recipe for touchdowns that OU has lacked recently.
Beyond the passing game, Hansen's blocking prowess will bolster the run game, opening lanes for the backfield and protecting Mateer on play-action. While his production at Florida was somewhat muted—perhaps due to scheme or competition—there's optimism that Arbuckle's system will unlock more of his receiving upside.
Hansen has worked tirelessly to expand his game, blending brute strength with finesse, and at 269 pounds, he's in peak physical condition.
As Oklahoma looks to contend in 2026, Hansen's addition is more than just depth; it's a statement of intent. He's not arriving as a project player but as a proven starter with accolades and intangibles that could elevate the entire offense. If he adapts quickly,
Hansen might not only revive the tight end tradition at OU but also etch his name alongside Gresham and Andrews. For Sooners fans, the sight of this 6'8 behemoth hauling in passes and pancaking defenders could be the highlight of the season.
With one year to make his mark, expect Hansen to leave everything on the field in Norman.