Announcement: Bauer Sharp announce his resignation and leaving after facing……
After a lackluster season from Oklahoma’s tight end room, the Sooners knew they would need to add to the position group as the team transitions into the SEC.
With Austin Stogner graduating and Blake Smith transferring to Texas State, OU desperately needed to add a playmaker to Joe Jon Finely’s group.
That’s exactly what the Sooners got in Southeastern Louisiana tight end transfer Bauer Sharp.
In his final season with the Lions, Sharp notched 54 touches for 421 yards and eight touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, the Dothan, AL, native has the size and athleticism to make an impact in Oklahoma’s offense during his first year with the program.
“It’s his fourth year of college football, he’s strong, fearless, has adapted well and should make an impact at OU,” Southeastern Louisiana radio broadcaster Mark Willoughby told AllSooners. “Tough kid, intense competitor. Raw at the tight end position, but compensates with size, athleticism and physical toughness.”
Despite getting a decent share of the Lions’ offensive load this season, Sharp has only played the tight end position for two years.
Willoughby added that Sharp’s physicality and play style also contributed to him making the move.
“Following in Cole (Kelley’s) footsteps dictated the move to tight end to capitalize on Bauer’s raw talent,” Willoughby said. “Size, athleticism and linebacker mentality, plus immediate need at the tight end position made him strong conversion candidate.”
Sharp’s athleticism should be a welcome sight for Sooner fans, especially after the team didn’t have a dynamic option at tight end in 2023.
The fourth-year player’s athletic ability allows him to fill a variety of rolls, which shows in the different ways SLU used Sharp in its offense.
Last season, the standout tight end recorded 136 snaps as a receiver, 132 snaps as a run blocker, 19 snaps as a pass blocker and 25 snaps as a ball carrier out of the backfield.
According to Pro Football Focus, Sharp recorded an 80.7 overall offensive grade in 2023.
Willoughby also lauded Sharp’s athleticism, describing how it allowed the veteran tight end to help the Lions’ offense in multiple ways.
“Strongest part of Bauer’s game is his athleticism. Fast enough to beat linebackers and safeties in coverage, can split wide, get deep,” Willoughby said. “Has a nose for the goal line in wildcat, speed to break a big play if he reads blocks correctly — power to run through tackles. Some Taysom Hill qualities. … Flashes elite receiving skills, hard-nosed runner with the ball in hand — (his) overall game needs refining but (the) upside is huge.”
