It actually was Geneo Grissom’s idea -- not the Oklahoma coaches' -- to make the position switch from defensive end to tight end, Bob Stoops revealed at Big 12 media days.

“Geneo came and said in his heart he really wanted to try tight end,” Stoops said. “We’re always good about our guys, if they really believe strongly in playing a different position, we give them the opportunity to see how it goes. So we’ll see. Again, I haven’t been able to see him, but Geneo is a talented guy. Hopefully it’s working well.”

Just two years ago, Grissom was primed to crack the rotation at defensive end as a true freshman before a preseason foot injury forced him to redshirt. Grissom injured the other foot this past spring, clearing the way for Chuka Ndulue to take over as the team’s third defensive end behind projected starters R.J. Washington and David King. Instead of trying to work back into the rotation, Grissom decided to give offense a try.

Grissom played tight end sparingly for his high school. But since the Sooners are without a returning tight end on the roster from 2011, could Grissom contribute this season?

“I think he can,” quarterback Landry Jones said. “He definitely has the athletic ability. [He's] one of the most athletic guys on our team. It’s just a situation of learning the plays and realizing how to play and learning a new position.”