Bauer Sharp has had a chip on his shoulder throughout his college career.
He developed it after receiving one offer out of high school to play quarterback and ultimately committing to Southeastern Louisiana. While there, it took time for Sharp to gain recognition and playing time. He appeared in just one game his freshman year before redshirting.
After switching from quarterback to tight end ahead of the 2022 season and a breakout performance last year, featuring 421 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns, he found himself transferring to Oklahoma, which a scrappy, undersized walk-on named Baker Mayfield established as a hub for the ‘chip on your shoulder’ mindset.
“I got a lot to earn, I got a lot to prove,” Sharp said. “And I continue to say that each and every day.”
OU’s tight end room as a whole also has something to prove. They have to reestablish themselves as one of the offense’s strengths and as a viable option for sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold.
The Sooners’ tight ends are coming off a season in which they accounted for 252 receiving yards — the lowest since 2014. However, tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley’s elevation to co-offensive coordinator alongside Seth Littrell in the offseason seemingly bodes well for the unit as they try to increase their production this season.
Sharp is vying for the starting tight end position alongside redshirt senior Jake Roberts, who’s spent time playing in Littrell’s offense at North Texas. The two have been “feeding off each other” in fall camp, and Roberts is one of the many people who have helped Sharp elevate his game to the next level.
“I feel like it’s just slowed down a little bit,” Sharp said of how his play has improved since arriving in Norman. “Joe Jon has helped me a lot in seeing the defense, seeing what the defensive line does and what can help me in basic fundamentals, routes and blocking.”
With the Sooners’ wide receiver room posing depth and seemingly acting as the heart of the offense, Sharp and the rest of the tight ends will have to fight for opportunities. Sharp has already taken matters into his own hands by positioning his locker right next to Arnold’s, perhaps in an attempt to bribe the young quarterback.
“It’s a strategy,” Sharp said, smirking. “I’m trying to get close to him.”
