Jaren Kanak

● Track background — that speed translates to the football field ● Urgent athlete, which shows in his routes and catch-to-run transitions ● Gravitates towards open spaces versus zone coverage ● Had one catch of 20-plus yards in each of the first four games of 2025 (but none the rest of the season, in part because of inconsistent quarterback play) ● Dependable hands for a former defensive player (one-hander on 2025 Michigan tape) ● Grew more comfortable with lead-blocking duties ● Toughness is evident on wham blocks and when finishing through contact 204 Back to table of contents -- 208 of 629 -- ● Durable — didn’t miss a game in four years ● Extensive special teams experience; skill set translates well to coverages

● Physical dimensions look more like those of a linebacker than a tight end ● Needs to continue packing on muscle ● Still maturing blocking techniques ● Gets caught overextending as he tries to stay connected (flagged for holding four times in 2025) ● Promising route runner but ran a limited tree ● Primarily an underneath target (79.5 percent of catches were of fewer than 10 yards); unproven downfield ● Lack of arm length limits catch radius ● Didn’t score a touchdown in college ● Back injury in high school and wore a back brace throughout sophomore season in 2019

A one-year starter (on offense) at Oklahoma, Kanak was used across the formation (mostly slot and wing) in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s scheme. The top-ranked recruit in Brent Venables’ first class with the Sooners, he was a part-time linebacker for three seasons before making a seamless transition to tight end in 2025. Despite not finding the end zone, he established himself as one of the go-to targets for an inconsistent Oklahoma passing attack. A Taysom Hill-style quarterback in high school, Kanak is familiar with the offensive side of the ball — but tight end duties were a new challenge. Though relatively inexperienced, he displays better ball skills than one might expect and has the athletic urgency to get open and do something with the ball. His route running and blocking are (understandably) unpolished, especially for his size. Overall, Kanak doesn’t have a large body of work, but he put a promising snapshot on film and offers some upside in the right H-back-style role. His ability to make an impact on special teams will help him stay on an NFL roster.