Joe Jon Finley has finally landed his man—well, with a little help from new quarterback John Mateer. After struggling to find prospects in the Transfer Portal, the Oklahoma tight ends coach got a major boost when Will Huggins, a dynamic 6-foot-7, 250-pound tight end from Pittsburg State, committed to the Sooners on Saturday.
Huggins had initially entered the Transfer Portal as a graduate transfer on December 2, following an impressive season with the Gorillas. He’d committed to Washington State on December 12, even receiving a public signing announcement from the Cougars. However, just a week later, Mateer, the former Wazzu quarterback, followed offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to Norman, and it seems that shift helped change Huggins’ decision. The tight end soon re-entered the portal and posted his new offer from Oklahoma just minutes after confirming his decision to look elsewhere.
This season, Huggins was a standout for Pittsburg State, earning All-MIAA honors after hauling in 22 catches for 395 yards, averaging a stunning 18 yards per catch. His contributions helped lead the Gorillas to an 8-3 record and earned him a spot on the Division II All-Super Region team.
Originally a 3-star recruit from Shawnee Mission South High School in Overland Park, Kansas, Huggins chose the University of Kansas over offers from top programs like Arkansas, Iowa State, and Kansas State. He made a mark early on, totaling 26 receptions for 436 yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons. However, his role at KU was limited in later years, and after his season at Pittsburg State, several programs—Kent State, UTEP, and Houston among them—came calling. But it was Oklahoma that won his commitment.
For the Sooners, Huggins’ addition provides much-needed depth to a tight end room that has faced challenges over the past two seasons. Finley has worked hard to involve his tight ends in the game plan, even taking on play-calling duties after Seth Littrell’s midseason firing. As Oklahoma looks to build strength in its offensive game plan, Huggins will provide an exciting new weapon.
This is the eighth player to transfer to Oklahoma in the current portal cycle, a key addition to an evolving team under new offensive leadership. With his size, skill, and experience, Huggins has the potential to make a significant impact in Norman as the Sooners aim to rise back to dominance.
