Oklahoma football has the best tight end in the Big 12, and a guy with NFL talent, in potential senior All-Big 12 and All-American Mark Andrews.
Turnover runs rampant on the Oklahoma offense in 2017. Replacing Dede Westbrook, Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine, etc. puts OU in a tough spot. Quarterback Baker Mayfield everything together. Tight end Mark Andrews is Mayfield’s proven target.
More: Oklahoma Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
Andrews lies among the best tight ends in the nation. He’s a top notch pass-catcher with NFL potential. Oklahoma’s offense puts Andrews in a spot to be an All-American. He was not named a preseason All-American.
Tight ends aren’t utilized in the Big 12. Receivers have a big role unlike tight ends. Oklahoma is one of the few consistently utilizing a tight end. Andrews could be Oklahoma’s best TE since Jermaine Gresham.
Mayfield tossed 31 passes to Andrews last year. Andrews could go over 600 yards. He’ll be a red zone target. Head coach Lincoln Riley should use his best red zone weapon more so than the rest of the receiving corps.
Andrews has multiple roles. Grant Calcaterra takes Andrews’ starting spot after the 2017 season. Calcaterra could get some looks. He’ll be thrust into a big role as a sophomore.
UTEP is Oklahoma’s first opponent. Any Group of Five team presents easy matchups for the Sooners. Andrews, and the rest of the receiving corps, can have a field day. Week 1 is much easier than Week 2. Ohio State waits for Oklahoma on Sept. 9.
Oklahoma’s road trip trip to Columbus is a defining moment in 2017. Andrews could step up in a Sooner victory. Or he could fall flat. Andrews managed 57 receiving yards against Ohio State last year. In a big game, he’ll be more relied on than most of the receiving corps.
Next: 2017 Big 12 season preview and predictions
At 6-foot-5 and over 250 pounds, any NFL team gets a treat with Andrews. He has sure hands and underrated athleticism. A big 2017 could result in a first round draft pick for Andrews. If not, some team gets lucky. Andrews is not a normal NFL talent.