Could former elite recruit become the breakout star the Oklahoma Sooners offense needs in 2025 at a struggling position?

As we look back at Oklahoma’s 2024 season, one of the most glaring weak spots on the team was their tight end unit, a tough reality considering the struggles of both the quarterback and offensive line. It’s still puzzling that the coach responsible for this unit is sticking around, but there’s hope for the future, and that optimism rests squarely on the shoulders of one key player: Davon Mitchell.

Mitchell, a former elite recruit, made the leap from the class of 2025 to 2024, offering a glimmer of hope for a position that desperately needs to step up. The four-star tight end brings immense athleticism to the table and holds the potential to become a game-changer for Oklahoma’s offense by 2025.

That said, Mitchell’s freshman year wasn’t smooth sailing. He spent much of the season focused on adapting to the offense and getting his body into prime shape, which ultimately led to the team exploring other options at tight end. But here’s where the shift began: during the team’s bowl game preparations, Mitchell started to turn heads. Coaches were quick to praise his growth throughout the month off before their matchup with Navy, signaling a bright future ahead.

While 2024 didn’t quite see Mitchell find his rhythm within the Sooners’ offense, there’s nothing stopping him from stepping into a featured role under Ben Arbuckle, the new offensive coordinator, in 2025. With Oklahoma desperately needing playmakers to support quarterback John Mateer, Mitchell’s potential has never been more crucial.

In fact, his expected breakout might explain why the Sooners weren’t overly aggressive in seeking additional talent for the tight end position via the transfer portal. Instead, they concentrated their efforts on keeping key players, with Mitchell’s potential being a major factor in their decisions.

The tight end position has been a weakness for Oklahoma for years now, and as we head into 2025, Mitchell just might be the answer they’ve been waiting for. The Sooners need someone to step up, and Mitchell could very well be that player.