Spring football is peaking from around the corner as February dissolves into March. The state of Texas is primed for a memorable year of football at the FBS level with Baylor and UTSA coming off conference championships, Houston returning most of its key players from a 12-2 squad, and Texas A&M loading up on five-star recruits. 

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football will look at the 10 best players at each position on the football field continuing with tight end. We began the series by examing the top 10 quarterbacks in the FBS ranks on Monday. 

Previous positions: QB | RB | WR | OL |

1. Ben Sims, Baylor 

2021 review: 31 receptions, 361 yards, 6 TDs

2022 outlook: Sims is becoming the best tight end at Baylor in the 21st Century, and that not hypberbole. His three touchdown catches in 2020 were the most by a Baylor tight end since 2007. He doubled that total in 2021, catching six touchdowns. All six came in conference play to help the Bears capture a Big 12 championship. Sims was third on the team in receptions, fourth in receiving yards and second in touchdown catches. 

2. Christian Trahan, Houston 

2021 review: 37 receptions, 398 yards, 2 TDs

2022 outlook: Trahan was the second-leading receiver for the Cougars with 37. He’s a safety valve for quarterback Clayton Tune. Trahan is a go-to player on third down and in the red zone. He’s essentially a wide receiver with enough size and toughness to block. He possesses great hands and does a good job finishing runs after the catch. Trajan is a key cog in a Cougars’ offense that will be hard to stop in 2022. He provides balance in the passing game as a mismatch against smaller defensive backs and slower linebackers and safeties. 

3. Jahleel Billingsley, Texas 

2021 review: 17 receptions, 256 yards, 3 TDs (Alabama) 

2022 outlook: Texas needs an influx of offensive weapons to take pressure off wide receiver Xavier Worthy and Billingsley was added as a transfer from Alabama. Billingsley caught 18 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns in 2020 with Steve Sarkisian as his offensive coordinator. The Longhorns hope a familiar system unlocks the new transfer. Young talent such as Juan Davis and Ja’Tavion Sanders will compete with him for snaps. 

4. Oscar Cardenas, UTSA

2021 review: 16 receptions, 233 yards, 2 TDs

2022 outlook: Cardenas is set to become the No. 1 target at UTSA at the tight end position with Leroy Watson out of eligibility. Cardenas caught the one-yard touchdown pass as time expired against UAB to clinch the Roadrunners’ first trip to a conference championship game. Cardenas, a local from Brandeis High School, is a big-bodied tight end at 6-4, 274 pounds who is as impactful in the run game as a blocker. 

5. Mason Tharp, Texas Tech 

2021 review: 14 receptions, 198 yards, 1 TD

2022 outlook: Tharp should see more targets in 2022 with Travis Koontz gone and a new offensive coordinator who likes to throw the ball. The sophomore from Klein High School is a massive target at 6-9, which makes him the ideal candidate for jump balls on third down and in the red zone. He’ll be even more dangerous in the new-look Texas Tech offense and with another offseason to polish his technique. 

6. Jack Bradley, Rice 

2021 review: 16 receptions, 163 yards, 1 TD

2022 outlook: Rice was one of the bright spots for Rice on offense. The junior from Bishop Lynch is a big target at 6-5, 258 pounds. He’ll do the dirty work as a blocker when playing in-line and can flex out as a true wide receiver. More consistency from the quarterback position in 2022 could help Bradley take the next step and become a go-to target in the offense.

7. Trent Thompson, UTEP 

2021 review: 9 receptions, 133 yards, 4 TDs

2022 outlook: Four of Thompson’s nine catches were for touchdowns in 2021. The Cy Falls product made his opportunities count and should be in line for more targets this season with the Miners losing their top three receivers from 2021. Thompson can become quarterback Gavin Hardison’s checkdown option and No. 1 target in the red zone in 2022. 

8. Jared Wiley, TCU

2021 review: 9 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TDs

2022 outlook: Wiley transferred out of Texas after two seasons and two head coaches in Austin. The former prep quarterback from Temple was consistent when tasked with running routes and catching passes. He was mostly used as a blocker, so he’ll instantly add some physicality at the position for Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs offense. 

9. Baylor Cupp, Texas A&M 

2021 review: One start 

2022 outlook: Cupp possesses all-conference potential if his body can hold up to the college game. The Brock product was a four-star recruit and an Under Armour All-American prior to arriving at College Station. Injuries cost him his first two seasons as an Aggie. He took a medical redshirt in 2019 and missed the 2020 season with another injury. He made his first college start in 2021 against Prairie View A&M and should see his opportunities increase with Jalen Wydermyer off to the NFL Draft. Max Wright is the name to know if injuries continue to plague Cupp. 

10. Jake Roberts, North Texas

2021 review: 11 receptions, 98 yards 

2022 outlook: Roberts recorded 11 passes in 2021 for a North Texas offense that struggled mightily in the passing game throughout 2021. Better quarterback play should allow Roberts to register more than 20 catches in 2022. He’ll be a valuable part of the offense that can win his 1-on-1 matchups as a receiver.