Big changes are coming to the Texas Longhorns offense in 2025, and one of the most notable areas of transformation is the tight end position. With seven offensive starters departing for the NFL Draft, including four offensive linemen and key wide receivers, the Longhorns are now left scrambling to fill the void at tight end. Let’s break down the situation for Texas as they prepare for Arch Manning’s first season as starting quarterback.
The Longhorns Lose Their Top Two Tight Ends to the NFL Draft
First up, Gunnar Helm and Juan Davis, the top two tight ends for Texas, have both declared for the 2025 NFL Draft after exhausting their eligibility. Helm, who took over as the starting tight end after Ja’Tavion Sanders’ departure, enjoyed a breakout season. He led the team in receptions with 60 catches for 786 yards and seven touchdowns, earning All-SEC Second Team honors.
Meanwhile, Juan Davis, who began the season as the TE3, stepped into the TE2 role and played over 400 snaps. Davis wasn’t a big factor in the passing game, mostly contributing as a run blocker, but still managed to grab nine passes for 54 yards.
With both Helm and Davis off to the NFL, Texas faces a major hole at tight end, one that initially seemed to be filled by Amari Niblack.
Amari Niblack Enters the Transfer Portal
However, Amari Niblack, a promising transfer from Alabama, has decided to enter the transfer portal ahead of the 2025 season. Niblack, who will be a senior, still has one year of eligibility left. After a solid sophomore campaign with Alabama, Niblack transferred to Texas in hopes of stepping into a starting role. Unfortunately, his season in Austin didn’t go as planned. He struggled for playing time, limited to nine games and only 90 offensive snaps. Despite the high hopes, Niblack caught just five passes for 33 yards as the third-string tight end.
Now, with Niblack also out of the picture, Texas is left with a thin tight end room heading into 2025.
Looking Ahead: Texas’ Tight End Depth for 2025
As it stands, Texas has three tight ends on the roster for the upcoming season. Jordan Washington, a four-star recruit from the 2024 class, Spencer Shannon, a three-star from 2023, and Emaree Winston, a three-star from the 2025 class, make up the current depth chart. However, these three combined have only 86 career offensive snaps between them, offering little experience.
With such a young and untested group, don’t be surprised if the Longhorns turn to the transfer portal to bolster the tight end position for 2025. Texas will need to make a move soon to ensure they have a reliable playmaker at tight end as they head into a pivotal season with Manning under center.
