CJ Nickson’s position switch makes him a wild-card chess piece for OU
In 2026, CJ Nickson is listed by Oklahoma as a 6-foot-4, 275-pound sophomore tight end after beginning his OU career on the defensive line, and that move gives the Sooners a rare, high-upside athlete with power, size, and true multi-sport background. He arrived as a consensus four-star recruit with top-tier Oklahoma and national rankings, plus a high school résumé that showed both defensive production and real receiving skill, which hints at mismatch potential if the transition sticks. The big question: can his explosive frame and toughness translate quickly enough to make him a difference-maker in Jason Witten’s revamped tight end room?
