A former Oklahoma linebacker who switched to tight end for his senior season and turned the position change into a seventh-round selection.
Jaren Kanak spent three years as a linebacker at Oklahoma before an unusual senior-year move to tight end showcased his athleticism in a new way. The Tennessee Titans selected the Hays, Kansas native in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, intrigued by his special-teams background and positional versatility.
Path to the league
A record-setting rusher and passer at Hays High School in Kansas, Kanak originally committed to Clemson before flipping to Oklahoma. He played linebacker for the Sooners from 2022 to 2024, appearing in 39 games with 10 starts and contributing as a core special teamer.
Career highlights
Over his first three seasons at linebacker, Kanak recorded 103 tackles and two sacks across 39 games. Ahead of his 2025 senior season, he made the switch to tight end, using his athletic profile, including a 4.52-second 40-yard dash and 36-inch vertical, to transition to a new role on offense.
2025 season recap
In his debut at tight end, Kanak caught five passes for 90 yards against Illinois State and went on to earn third-team All-SEC recognition in Oklahoma's first season in the conference. The Titans drafted him with the 225th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jaren Kanak
- Tennessee Titans: Jaren Kanak player page
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Oklahoma
- Hometown
- Hays, KS, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
