Oklahoma Sooners-Alabama football

Junior linebacker Jaren Kanak during the storming of the field after the game against Alabama on Nov. 23.

 Aden Choate/OU Daily

Oklahoma senior tight end Jaren Kanak used the word “meow” when speaking to the media after practice on March 10.

It was unique verbage for an interview, and he said it after being asked about the nuances of his position change from linebacker to tight end. The question was serious, but he chose to be humorous with his variation of “now”.

“Right meow, my biggest thing is trying to get that technique back down, and that's why I'm up here all day trying to study tape,” Kanak said.

Despite his answer containing an ounce of humor, the weight of it was still enriched in the development of his game. But the joke did not stop there.

He said it over seven times in the interview and followed up on X (formerly known as Twitter). He tweeted a gif of a scene from the 2001 film, “Super Troopers”, in which the cop in the movie, Foster, says, “It’s not so funny meow, is it?” during a traffic stop. Foster thought it would be funny to include the word during something that is so routinely part of his job, just like Kanak. The tweet received 482 likes as of March 17. 

But the “meow” gimmick continued.

During an interview at Pro Day, former linebacker Danny Stutsman was asked about Jaren Kanak’s position change. His answer also included “meow”.

“Right meow, I think it’s a pretty good move for him,” Stutsman said. “He busts his tail more than anyone. I think, right meow, he's really just adjusting to it.”

Much like Kanak, Stutsman’s answer was serious but humorous. And the fans enjoyed it – Fox 25’s Colby Daniels tweeted a video of Stutsman’s words about Kanak and received 621 likes as of March 17. 

The attention on X, though, is nothing out of the ordinary for Kanak – in terms of March 10 or his entire time at OU.

During the March 10 availability, Kanak found a way to be funny in a different way when asked about how the receiving aspect of the position change has come. He compared his work ethic with machines in the weight room to a baby on milk.

“I’ve been on those jugs like a baby on milk,” Kanak said before all the media members erupted with laughter.

However, the joy did not end in the moment, as ON3’s George Stoia tweeted about it later in the day, receiving 1,000 retweets and 25,000 likes. One of those retweets was Kanak. 

Kanak’s reason for showcasing his personality on X is simple: the fans enjoy it. 

“I think it's okay to be a funny guy and let your personality hang out a little bit because fans like to see that,” Kanak said.

‘Be a light’

In reality, Kanak spends less time on social media than fans may think. It is merely a tool for him to share his humor with fans in between his efforts on the field.

“As much as it might seem that all I care about is Twitter likes and social media, I really don't devote as much of my time to that as you may think,” Kanak said. “It's almost like I'll be sitting watching film, and then randomly, I'll get a super funny idea in my head, and then I press send.”

The spontaneous tweets bring attention, but his defining factor as an athlete is his work ethic on the field and in the film room. Over Kanak’s career, he has grown to be known as one of the hardest working Sooners, and his position change has only strengthened his status. His diligent attitude does not go unnoticed either, especially by head coach Brent Venables. 

“(John Mateer’s) up in the facility nonstop. He’s got one other person other than a coach that puts in more hours than him, Jaren Kanak,” Venables said during his press conference on March 5 about Mateer, who is set to lead at quarterback in 2025. “His cross to bear would be to be in this facility more than Jaren Kanak.”

Kanak lives in the realms of where his game prospers – weight room, film room and the practice field. He puts forth the effort to make the most out of his role on the team.

And new general manager Jim Nagy is no different.

Nagy, who was the executive director of the Senior Bowl from 2018 to 2025 and an NFL scout for nearly two decades before that, joined the Sooners on Feb. 26. Among other traits, he brings the same love of the film room as Kanak.

“I like nothing more than sitting in a dark room and watching tape,” Nagy said in his first press conference with the Sooners on March 5.

Nagy resides in the film room like Kanak does, and this connection does not end in the press conference room. ON3’s Eddie Radosevich sent out a tweet about the quote, bringing fans in on Nagy’s character. 

Kanak felt such a deep connection to the GM when he heard the quote that he retweeted Radosevich’s post.

“I am kind of like our new GM. When it comes down to it, my favorite thing to do is just sit in a dark room and watch film,” Kanak said. “I think I retweeted that actually because I thought it was awesome.”

However, Kanak and Nagy also relate outside of the film room; they both connect with fans on social media.

One of the first exchanges between Nagy and an Oklahoma fan on X came after a woman welcomed him to OU and expressed how excited she was to have him be a part of the Sooners. 

In response, Nagy addressed her by name.

“Thanks, Shannon,” Nagy said in a reply.

Another fan reached out to him as well, citing the pleasure he experienced during Nagy’s time with the Senior Bowl. He also expressed his joy in Nagy’s future at OU. 

Once again, Nagy responded by addressing the fan by name.

“Thanks, Jason,” Nagy said in a reply.

Even though receiving a response at all from a general manager may be unusual, Nagy takes it a step further through calling people by their names like how a friend or family member would treat them. However, as much as the fans enjoy the sentiment, it is still a new one – they have experienced it through a player before but not through Nagy.

“I get it,” Nagy said in response to a fan saying it will take time to adjust to Nagy posting about OU news. “But get used to it.”

While Kanak and Nagy make the dark their dwelling, they find an escape in the light. 

“If I can be a light and be a funny guy because what we do is not easy … I’m going to do that,” Kanak said.

‘Best of both worlds’

For Kanak, Nagy and others, it is all about balance – developing on the field and connecting off. Kanak established this in a tweet through posting an image of Thanos’ “perfectly balanced” quote from “Avengers: Infinity War”, illustrating the dynamic of his presence on the field and on social media. 

When it comes to work ethic, the phrase, “first one in, last one out”, often arises. Kanak utilized this idea on X, describing the differences between campus life and the grind of an athlete. 

Campus Corner contains many bars and students looking for relief each night. However, Kanak knows it is not where coaches would like for athletes to spend time and tweeted about it. The post received 905 retweets and 32,000 likes as of March 17 – because fans loved it. While they may not be athletes, fans could relate to having a presence on Campus Corner.

Kanak found balance.

However, he is not the only player to have danced around the identities of player and influencer well. Senior defensive lineman R Mason Thomas has shown his personality on social media as well with a reference to a movie. 

In January, when Thomas’ future was still uncertain to Sooner fans, he made a post with a highlight video, teasing fans and referencing the movie, “Grease”. A few days later, Thomas announced his return with the words, “Back to school again”, and referenced “Grease 2”, receiving 2,500 likes as of March 17. 

No matter who it is, members of the team enjoy connecting on social media, allowing them to embrace both sides of what makes each of them who they are as a person.

“Never taking for granted (opportunities) here, if I can do that and maximize that and also be a personality guy off the field, I'm going to do that … live a fulfilling life, be the best of both worlds,” Kanak said.

Through it all, the Sooners are striving to make the most out of their time at Oklahoma.

“There's a lot of guys with great personalities on this team, and if I can be a funny guy, then I want to go and make people laugh,” Kanak said. “But at the end of the day, my biggest focus and my main concern is maximizing the opportunities I have here.”

This story was edited by Hannah Bryant.

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