The Football Brainiacs

The Sooners pick up a new member of the ’26 class today as tight end Tyler Ruxer (6’4 220) out of Lincoln City, Indiana, has publicly announced his verbal pledge to the University of Oklahoma.

This commitment should come as no surprise to the community, as we have had Ruxer pegged to OU since before he took his official visit back on the first big OV weekend of June 6th.

Ruxer held offers from over 30 programs. He chose OU over the likes of West Virginia, Duke, Purdue, Minnesota and Northwestern.

Ruxer’s athleticism and receiving prowess (893 yards, 12 TDs as a junior) make him a matchup problem for defenses. OU can see him contributing early on special teams and in passing situations while he adjusts to division one competition, particularly in developing run-blocking skills against faster defensive ends. His ability to play in various alignments (slot, X, or inline) aligns with modern offensive schemes that prioritize versatile tight ends.

While primarily a wide receiver in high school, he projects as a tight end due to his size and skill set. I would not expect him to be a traditional in-line blocker but rather a versatile pass-catcher who can line up in the slot or flex out, with the potential to develop blocking skills for the run game. His film showcases his ability to beat man coverage, finish blocks, and make plays in space, making him a fit for Arbuckle’s high-octane offense.

Nice addition to the class!