Who is the Sooners under the radar impact player in 2021?

Oklahoma tight end, Austin Stogner took advantage of opportunities in 2020 and emerged as one of the team’s best pass-catchers.

In reflecting back on the Sooners’ 2020 season, one player continuously made an impact. Tight end/H-back Austin Stogner emerged as a skilled pass-catcher and Spencer Rattler’s go-to target on third down. The connection between the two is reminiscent of the relationship former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield had with tight end, Mark Andrews between the hash marks.

In eight games played (four starts), Stogner was third on the team accumulating 26 receptions, 422 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and a 16.2 yards per catch- second only to Marvin Mims. More impressive considering the shocking events that unfolded for No.18.

Stogner missed 4 1/2 games including the Big 12 Championship vs. Iowa State due to a knee injury suffered in the second half vs. Kansas that turned into something much worse. The injury was followed by a staph infection on his quad muscle that required surgery and rounds of medication.  Stogner lost 35 pounds as a result of the infection and the journey back was more challenging than anticipated.

He returned for the Cotton Bowl but played few snaps recording one reception for 12 yards. The setback will no doubt lead to a comeback for the talented hybrid player and like Stogner vocalized on Twitter, “trust the process.”

Stogner earned second-team All-Big 12 selection by AP and Academic All-Big 12 first-team honoree for his accomplishments following the 2020 season. The former four-star recruit took advantage of his increased role on the field in 2020 as OU’s starting tight end.

Stogner’s relationship with Rattler began before both were listed on Oklahoma’s roster. The duo was paired together at Nike The Opening Finals All-Star Camp in 2018 and their bond has continued to develop and translate onto the field for the Sooners.

Stogner is smooth at transitioning into turns on routes to create separation and make himself an available open target for Rattler. He is known for his stellar receiving skillset and one-on-one mismatches created, but he also made strides as an in-line blocker in 2020. Several of his run blocks provided open seams for rushers by sealing off the boundary, out leveraging defenders.

Stogner will be a player to watch for in 2021! He flew under the radar in 2020 but now the Big 12 will have to take into account where No.18 is in Lincoln Riley’s formations.

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