Dean Talks With OU Tight End Mark Andrews

Keep an eye on OU redshirt freshman tight end/athlete Mark Andrews. Too big to cover with defensive backs, too swift for linebackers to track, the 6-5, 245-pounder from Scottsdale is a mismatch for most teams. And as he physically matures and develops his overall game, Andrews looks to me like he has the makings of becoming a star.

A heavily recruited receiver with offers from the elite – Alabama, Ohio State and USC – Andews was disappointed to learn OU coaches wanted him to switch from wide receiver to tight end. Who could blame him? But he soon accepted the move and realized playing time would come sooner and more often from being in-line.

9/23/15 Related Story: Dean Chats With Sooners' OC Lincoln Riley

Coaches buzzed about the likable Arizona native after impressing in the spring, summer and early camp. Andrews didn’t break out until Game 3 when he scored his first touchdown on a 61-yard pass from Baker Mayfield that saw him show off the speed (tells me he ran 4.56 as a freshman) that will help him separate from backers in pass coverage. It was the second longest touchdown reception of the season for the Sooners.

Earlier, Andrews found his way open when Mayfield played Johnny Football-in-a-scramble drill and bought enough time to finish off a 17-yard touchdown in the third quarter when Tulsa was threatening. Andrews’ 87 receiving yards on three catches were a career high.

I interviewed Andrews at the Monday press luncheon and will feature him in our weekly Sooner Spotlight Thursday night. Here is the source material from that interview: