Oklahoma football got a big-time commitment from a position of need on Saturday as four-star tight end Ryder Mix chose the Sooners over competing top programs Ohio State and Texas A&M.

The news came amid the identification of an Oklahoma football weapon as a dangerous player heading into 2024. The OU football transfer who will make the biggest impact was also named.

The addition of Mix could signal a new era for the Oklahoma football offense, one that has been college football's best for decades and is currently replenishing its talent stocks.

Ryder Mix goes ‘Boomer Sooner'

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables stands beside Kobie McKinzie (11) and David Stone (0) after a University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners spring football game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 20, 2024.
© BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Mix is a Class of 2026 tight end who is already 6-feet-4 inches tall and 220 pounds. If Mix continues growing as expected he could become a monster by the time he arrives in Norman, Oklahoma to play for Coach Brent Venables and the Sooners.

A native of Lone Star High School out of Frisco, Texas, Mix is ranked as the number 16 tight end in the nation and the #303 prospect nationwide. He's also ranked as the 43rd best player in the state of Texas, home to Oklahoma's rival the Texas Longhorns.

Related Oklahoma Football NewsArticle continues below
Before DeSean Jackson took over Delaware State, Michael Vick looked to add him to his coaching staff at Norfolk State.
Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson first media day to be held in NFL stadium
Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick attends the Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium
Tommy Reamon, mentor to Michael Vick, passes away at 73
Hugh Freeze and Jackson Arnold, Auburn, Auburn schedule, Auburn prediction
Full Auburn football game-by-game predictions for 2025 season

New era of SEC football to begin

Oklahoma football finds itself a geographical misfit heading into the 2024 fall season as they have decided to join the SEC Conference alongside former Big 12 members Texas football and Texas A&M football. It's a new era of college football and it will be incredibly interesting to see how well the Sooners do in arguably the best conference in the nation.

Venables' team will be forced to fight for respect in a conference packed with household names including the Florida Gators, Tennessee Volunteers, Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas A&M Aggies, Texas Longhorns and other well known powerhouse schools.

The fact that Oklahoma football beat out two top tier programs for the services of a talented player bodes well for the Sooners' future. The new era of not just SEC football but also NCAA Football is going to be an exciting one, and as usual it would be foolish to bet against Coach Venables and the Sooners.