NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma’s offense left Ann Arbor with more questions than answers, but Sooners TE Rocky Beers continues to provide one of its most dependable responses.
The tight end’s early production has not surprised the people who watch him work every day.
“Rocky has been a joy to coach,” offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said. “He’s a joy to be around every single day.”
Beers emerged at Michigan as a reliable target and a physical runner after the catch. Brent Venables said he played more than 50 offensive snaps and another 20-plus on special teams, affecting the game wherever Oklahoma used him.
Arbuckle believes Beers’ consistency begins with investment. He described a married father who cares deeply about his teammates, the team’s performance and his individual standard.
“One of your best players—man, he cares,” Arbuckle said. “He cares about his teammates. He cares about the team’s performance. He cares about his performance.”
The personal makeup is paired with traits that translate directly to the field. Arbuckle praised Beers’ ability to separate and his “unbelievable hands.” Venables pointed to his size, functional strength, toughness, competitiveness and capacity to handle a heavy workload.
That combination matters within an offense looking for rhythm. Beers provides the Sooners with a tight end that is on the field across a variety personnel groupings. That gives Oklahoma answers in the run game, protection (assuming he stays in to block) and a variety of passing concepts, with the super senior’s ability to do so many things within the Oklahoma’s passing game.
On top of all of that, Beers can help create mismatches that OU has been able to exploit quite a bit early the season. Again, one of the positives after two games is just that with Beers and OU offense.
Beers’ consistency is also especially valuable while Oklahoma adjusts to wide receiver Trell Harris’ absence and asks younger receivers to take larger roles.
Oklahoma running back Lloyd Avant said Beers’ game-day production mirrors what teammates see in practice.
“I see this every day,” Avant said. “He’s a consistent guy. Whatever I see in practice, he does in the game.”
Oklahoma still must determine how its complete offensive identity fits together. But one thing is for sure early on, and that is Rocky Beers has already established that he belongs in the center of it.
