The biggest thing in Oklahoma’s favor was its winning tradition when it came to tight end Taylor McNamara (San Diego/Westview). The biggest thing in Colorado’s favor was the chance to be a huge part of the offense.

Tradition won the battle and the war as McNamara became the Sooners’ third tight end for the 2012 class, verbally committing to OU on Wednesday night.

But as confident as McNamara is, he believes once he gets to Norman, Okla., the coaches will have no choice but to make him a big part of the offense.

The addition of McNamara is huge in terms of the big-play potential at tight end. OU signee Brannon Green (Altamont, Kan./Fort Scott CC) is 6-foot-4 and 268 pounds. He’s not going to take safeties deep. With a nickname like “Moose,” you know exactly what you’re getting.

Tight end commit Laith Harlow (Tallahassee, Fla./Godby) wasn’t known as a deep threat, either. Harlow has good hands but is also more of a physical presence. He is also recovering from back surgery and there is no set timetable for his return. Harlow hopes to be good to go in the spring.

With McNamara, the Sooners have a tight end that can stretch the field. His hands and route-running ability have been his calling card, but the four-star prospect is also 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds.

Since the first day OU started to show renewed interest, McNamara has brought up the name Jermaine Gresham. He knows what OU can produce, and it also shows just how much potential McNamara believes he has.

Winning was a big part of the equation for McNamara, but the chance to come in and play immediately also was a huge factor. He is ready to compete with Harlow and Green. He’s not shying away from it and is embracing it more than anything.

OU has no scholarship tight ends returning in 2012 so everybody has an opportunity, and it also means that perhaps OU isn’t done with tight ends. A class with four tight ends sounds crazy, but if it can happen, the Sooners would have to consider the possibility.

McNamara is ranked the No. 9 tight end in the country and a mere two months ago, the thought of the former Arizona commit even considering OU was a pipedream. But the chips fell where they did at Arizona and OU, and McNamara is pumped about moving to Norman in January.

“I’ve made the right decision,” McNamara said. “This is where I’m supposed to go.”