Just eighty-two days until Longhorns football is back and we’re back to break down another depth chart. Today, it’s about the unsung heroes of the offense, the tight ends. The Longhorns lost Jack Endries to the draft and Jordan Washington to the transfer portal, while bringing in Michael Masunas in from Michigan State. It’s a high floor group with strong blocking but could lack an elite pass catcher.
Here’s how I see the group stack up heading into summer:
Starter: Michael Masunas / Nick Townsend / Spencer Shannon
This is something of a cop-out but I don’t see much separation here. If I had to choose a true “starter” I’d likely go with Masunas, so we will start there. The Michigan State transfer seems to be the most well-rounded TE right now. His run blocking is incredibly strong and his pass catching ability likely wasn’t taken advantage of at Michigan State the way it will at Texas. I expect this to be a true “by committee” position but Masunas could be the closest thing to a TE1.
Nick Townsend represents the TE with the most potential. He showed his willingness as a blocker early in the season and then his elite athleticism flashed later in the season. I expect a leap in his second season, with the possibility to end up being the leading pass catcher for this group. Whether it’s this season remains to be seen but the future looks bright for the young TE.
Finally, Spencer Shannon represents the true blocker of the group. Despite that reputation, he’s reportedly taken a substantial step forward as a pass catcher this offseason. If that’s the case, this room could go from a relative question mark to one of the best groups on the team. At 6’7”, he adds elite length and could help answer the redzone concerns for Texas.
Red Zone Nightmare: Emaree Winston
Speaking of the redzone, I believe that’s where you’ll see No. 85 find the field this season. Despite being just 6’1”, his remarkable athleticism makes him a matchup nightmare 1-on-1. He tallied just two catches for 47 yards during his freshman campaign but I expect his opportunities to grow this season. The top trio will gain some separation from Winston but he’ll make his impact felt.
Depth Pieces: Charlie Jilek, Will Randle
Finally, this is a duo you likely won’t see outside garbage time or injury. The freshman Jilek is an intriguing prospect but likely is a multi-year “project” for Jeff Banks. As for Randle, knowing the playbook and his rapport could get him on the field more often. Overall, this duo could provide strong depth but are unlikely to be gamechangers this season.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Longhorns TE group led by ‘starting trio’
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
