In an effort to replace the steady production at the tight end position from Mason Taylor, Brian Kelly and his staff dipped into the transfer portal to bring Bauer Sharp to LSU. Sharp comes to Baton Rouge after two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana and spent last season at Oklahoma.
Ahead of the 2025 campaign, Sharp has been named to the watch list for the John Mackey Award, which is given annually to the best tight end in college football. Sharp is one of 46 tight ends from around the country to be named to the watch list, which was announced on Friday.
The John Mackey Award@BauerSharp15 is on the watch list for the best tight end in college football pic.twitter.com/KwQIaVzkeP
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) August 8, 2025
Sharp can rack up big numbers at LSU after spending last season with Oklahoma's struggling offense
Sharp and his 6-foot-5, 246-pound frame can be very useful in LSU's dynamic passing attack. The Dothan, AL native totaled 324 yards on 42 catches to go along with a pair of touchdowns last season for Oklahoma. The Sooner passing offense struggled for most of the season, as quarterback Jackson Arnold never got into a rhythm in his first season as the full-time starter.
Coming to a much better situation in Baton Rouge, Sharp has the potential to shine for the Tigers. To show just how poor Oklahoma's passing game was last season, LSU boasted four receivers that collected more than 400 yards last season. Sharp's 324 receiving yards led the Sooners in 2024. While he isn't going to lead the Tigers in receiving yards, he can be a strong compliment to LSU's elite wide receiver room.
Interestingly enough, Sharp will face both of his former teams this season. LSU hosts Southestern Louisiana on Sept. 20, and travels to Oklahoma for the regular season finale on Nov. 29. In two seasons in Hammond, Sharp made 40 catches for a total of 366 yards and four touchdowns for the Lions before heading to Norman in 2024.
Tiger tight end Mason Taylor hauled in 55 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns last season. LSU fans would be happy to see Sharp chip in with that kind of production in 2025.
Sharp joins teammates Garrett Nussmeier and Aaron Anderson in being named to watch lists for their respective positional awards. Nussmeier was named to the Davey O'Brien Award watch list, and Anderson was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list.