Spring football begins in earnest across the country following Spring Break. The state of Texas is primed for another memorable yar at the FBS level in 2024 with the Longhorns joining the SEC and new coaching staffs at Texas A&M, Houston and UTEP. UTSA begins a new chapter without long-time quarterback Frank Harris as rival Texas State appears set for a Sun Belt title run. The Lone Star State is home to 13 FBS programs. 

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football will rank the 10 best players at each position continuing with TIGHT ENDS. 

Previous rankings: QB | RB | WR | EDGE | DT 

1. RJ MARYLAND, SMU 

2023 production: 34 catches, 518 yards, 7 TD

Maryland was tied for the team lead in touchdown catches and second on the squad in receptions, reception yards, and reception yards per game for a Mustangs program that won their first conference title since the 1980s. Maryland averaged 15.24 yards per catch. The return of quarterbacks Preston Stone and Kevin Jennings means that the Southlake Carroll product is in for another big season.

2. JALIN CONYERS, TEXAS TECH 

2023 production: 30 catches, 362 yards (Arizona State) 

Few tight ends in America are better after the catch than the Arizona State transfer. His 517 yards after the catch in the last two seasons trail only Brock Bowers and JT Sanders in the FBS ranks. His 28 forced missed tackles since 2022 are also third in the country, per PFF. The Red Raider offense likes to use the tight ends, especially in the red zone. Conyers provides some real upside as a receiver from the position. He’s also great in the Wildcat.

3. DRAKE DABNEY, TCU 

2023 production: 33 catches, 552 yards, 5 TD (Baylor)

Dabney set a Baylor season record for yards by a tight end last season and led the Bears with five touchdown passes. A new offense in Waco sent the Cypress native in search of a new home, which he found in Fort Worth at rival TCU. The Horned Frogs used Jared Wiley a lot in 2023, so Dabney shouldn’t struggle to receive targets at his new home. 

4. DONOVAN GREEN, TEXAS A&M 

2023 production: Injured 

Green suffered an ACL injury a month before the start of the 2023 season and was forced to miss the whole year. He’s back to lead a crowded tight end room in Aggieland. Green was clearly a favorite target of quarterback Conner Weigman back in 2022 when Green started four of the 10 games he played in, recording 22 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also a solid blocker and new offensive coordinator Collin Klein likes that. 

5. AMARI NIBLACK, TEXAS 

2023 production: 20 catches, 327 yards, 4 TD (Alabama)

The rich get richer as the Longhorns replace the departing Sanders with an Alabama transfer who possesses a similar body build and skill set. He started four games for the Crimson Tide last season. He caught two passes for 45 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Texas. 

6. OSCAR CARDENAS, UTSA

2023 production: 32 catches, 280 yards, 2 TD 

Señor Clutch returns for another season of action for the Roadrunners. He’ll need to help a new quarterback settle in with the departure of Frank Harris. But a good tight end can be a young quarterback’s best friend, and Cardenas rarely drops a pass. 

7. MALIQ CARR, HOUSTON 

2023 production: 30 catches, 352 yards, 3 TD 

Houston is Carr’s third stop in his collegiate career after spending a season at Purdue (2020) and three at Michigan State (2021-23). He’s started seven times in 34 career appearances and has 54 career receptions for 696 yards and five touchdowns. Carr played basketball at Michigan State in 2022, appearing in one game. 

8. GARRETT MILLER, TEXAS A&M 

2023 production: 30 catches, 243 yards, 2 TD (Purdue)

A Round Rock, Texas native, Miller returns to the Lone Star State as a graduate senior. He’ll compete alongside Green for snaps as the starting tight end. He made a solid return to the field in 2023 after missing 2022 with a knee injury. 

9. MASON THARP, TEXAS TECH

2023 production: 18 catches, 178 yards, 4 TD 

At 6-9 and 270 pounds, Tharp is a matchup problem, especially in the red zone. That’s why four of his 18 catches were touchdowns. He started in seven of the eight games he played last year, missing five games to injury. 

10. GUNNAR HELM, TEXAS

2023 production: 14 catches, 192 yards, 2 TD 

Helm and Niblack will battle it out for starting snaps at tight end for the Longhorns, but Steve Sarkisian’s offense utilizes two tight end sets more than its credited. Even with Sanders on the team last year, Helm caught two touchdown passes and played hundreds of snaps.