Fall Camp Preview: Texas’ 2023 tight end room
Ja’Tavion Sanders is very good.
The end.
I actually like the long term projection of the tight end picture, but right now, Ja’Tavion Sanders occupies almost all the oxygen in that theater. Beyond the potential All-American, Texas has only Gunnar Helm with any real experience.
If Texas was going to be 12-personnel dependent (two tight ends) the makeup of the roster would be much more concerning. As we’ve been documenting, Texas will base out of 11-personnel this season and that factored heavily in Steve Sarkisian electing to not sign a tight end out of the portal. Had one been available during the May window, they would have been intrigued, but they took a total pass during the December-January window.
Numbers aren’t the problem so much as lack of experience and dynamism. There is no ‘Sanders’ waiting to replace the junior, assuming he leaves after this season. While that’s a concern, there are complementary parts in place, even if they’re young.
Let’s take a look at them.
The Straw that Stirs the Drink
Ja’Tavion Sanders made a massive jump between his freshman and sophomore years. We chronicled it very closely and he delivered on the increased expectations. He went from project to projected 1st or 2nd rounder in less than a calendar year. We knew he had the talent but last offseason we learned a lot about his drive. While he was always a receiving talent, he made his biggest gains as a spirited blocker.
He is known for having some of the best mitts on the team, but he does need to become more consistent. He suffered a few unfortunate drops last year. It happens, but his hands should allow him to become a reliable third down option and 50/50 ball winner.
He was a matchup problem for defenses last year but that should only be exacerbated with the receiving corp Texas will field this season. He’s going to rip more seams than @malaise’s mom twerking.
The Next In-line
Gunnar Helm is the in-line tight end when in 12 personnel and also Sanders’ understudy when they’re in 11 personnel. He’s not the athlete Sanders is, but he’s not a lumbering oaf either. Watch him hit a golf ball or perform backflip and you’ll see he’s a pretty good, coordinated athlete. He can be a solid receiver who takes advantage of space created by his teammates.
Blocking is a big point of emphasis for his specific fit and he can still improve in that regard. He still needs to gain strength but he should be solid in that role this season. If not, Texas will use someone like Cameron Williams or Neto Umeozulu similarly to Andrej Karic last season.
The Missing Juan
For a player we never hear rumors about transferring, Juan Davis has had a very quiet tenure in Austin. It’s encouraging that he hasn’t been encouraged to explore the portal. It’s likely he’s just on a longer developmental curve. That would track with him being an ‘athlete’ in high school as well as being undersized. One thing is for sure, nobody disputes his athleticism or hands.
It’s too bad he didn’t redshirt but he could be setting up for a big senior year opportunity if Sanders leaves early. He’d make a good 12-personnel pairing with Helm.
As for this season, I don’t have a ton of expectations but let’s see how August goes. He does have receiving ability.
The Freshmen
I say it all the time but fit and function is very important at tight end. Beyond the handful of lengthy, basketball-like athletic freaks in the NFL, it’s the position with the most average athleticism relative to size. With that understanding, I like Spencer Shannon and Will Randle.
Shannon profiles to becoming a menacing in-line blocker who elevates the run game. He’s a smaller offensive tackle with ‘just enough’ receiving ability.
Randle is a ‘move’ tight end with good hands, mobility, and toughness. He can do the dirty work as well as take advantage of free yards in the flat or intermediate. He’s still rehabilitating his knee injury suffered last Fall but he wasn’t going to play much this year anyway.
These two are not spectacular athletes, but they will elevate the scheme just as the scheme elevates them.
Closing
This position is largely a one-man wrecking crew, but I think the future is relatively bright if you look at the quality of player within their more narrow fit. That’s why I’m high on 2024 commit Jordan Washington — he projects to being a very difficult matchup as a receiving tight end.
This season will be mostly about Sanders’ performance with some Helm sprinkled in.
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