The game of football continues to evolve, as does the role of the tight end.
Tight ends, once seen as the ultimate blocker and check-down option at best, are now seen as broader receivers who can use their speed and athleticism to influence play.
The “Big 12” has several tight ends that fit this shape. With the start of the season fast approaching, we continue our series of conference rankings with tight endings:
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1. Ben Sims, Baylor
Baylor needs experienced pass catchers after the departures of Tyquan Thornton, RJ Snead and Drew Estrada. The trio totaled 1,888 of the Bears’ 2,843 receiving yards (66.4 percent) last season, but Sims is a fifth-year tight end and he’s looking to help fill that gap. Last season, 6-4, the 253-pound veteran had 31 catches for 361 yards and six touchdowns. Sims is an All-Big 12 First Team Preseason honoree who boasts confident arms and a large build that’s hard to miss in the end zone, which should make him a favorite option for redshirt sophomore quarterback Blake Shapen.
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2. Jalil Billingsley, Texas
Billingsley is an experienced transfer from Alabama. The 6-4, 219-pound tight end had 17 receptions for 256 yards and three touchdowns as a junior last season. Billingsley’s arrival in Austin provides a reunion between him and Texas head coach Steve Sarkeesian, who was Alabama’s offensive coordinator during Billingsley’s 2020 breakout campaign. The then sophomore tight end had 18 catches for 287 yards and three points. With Cade Brewer (alumnus) and Jared Wylie (transferred to TCU) no longer in the frame, Billingsley should have plenty of opportunities this season.
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3. Mason Tharp, Texas Institute of Technology
Tharp wasted no time and became a real freshman for the Red Raiders last season. Tight end 6-9, 260 pounds caught 14 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown. Tharp posted those numbers despite playing behind senior tight end Travis Koontz, who had 21 catches for 306 yards and four touchdowns last season before moving to the NFL. Now that Koontz is gone, Tharp should be a top target for Texas Tech this season.
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4. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
A second Longhorn in the top five might come as a surprise at first glance, but Sanders has the potential to be as good as Billingsley this season. Former five-star prospect Sanders has been voted the best athlete in the 2021 class by 247Sports. After mostly playing special teams last season, he is now a 2022 breakout candidate. On Monday, Sarkeesian called Sanders “probably the most progressive player” on the team. Even with Billingsley in the mix, Sanders should be able to thrive on Texas’ 12-handed passing game, meaning it has two tight ends.
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5. Sammy Wheeler, Kansas State
After being recruited from high school as a double threat quarterback, Wheeler began playing tight end as he enters his senior season at Kansas State. The veteran, 6-4, 236, threw 15 balls for 151 yards and threw one touchdown last season, but his role should become even more significant with the release of Daniel Imatorbhe. Imatorbhebhe was Kansas State’s top tight end last season with 12 catches for 314 yards and two touchdowns. It’s not hard to imagine Wheeler putting in numbers that would make him one of the most productive tight ends in the Big 12.
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6. Braden Willis, Oklahoma
Willis recorded a career high of 15 receptions and 177 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season. The tight end, 6-4, 239 pounds, then decided to return for a fifth and final year of participation. He’s spent his entire college career with the Sooners, and this season he’ll be able to ramp up his numbers. Willis is top of the depth chart after the departures of fellows Austin Stogner (transferred to South Carolina) and Jeremiah Hall (signed by the New York Giants).
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7. Easton Dean, Iowa
Dean is a redshirt junior who didn’t get the chance to showcase his skills last season. He had one catch for 18 yards all season behind Charlie Kolar and Chase Allen. Kolar and Allen were named to the All-Big 12 first and second teams respectively, but both players are now in the NFL. In the past, Dean has been praised by Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, who said in a 2020 interview that Dean will be “the best tight end we’ve ever had here.” It’s unclear how well this statement will age, as Iowa often uses a tight position, making Dean one of the most influential players on this list.
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8. Braden Cassity, Oklahoma State
When it comes to the role of the narrow ends of the state of Oklahoma, there is not much glamour. This is a group that mostly does offensive dirty work like blocking, but Cassity still garnered some attention last season. The tight end 6-2, 240 pounds recorded five catches for 66 yards in the redshirt and was named the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Cassity’s influence won’t be accurately reflected in this season’s stats, but he’s a tough veteran with strong leadership qualities.
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9. Jared Casey, Kansas
The past year has been wild for Casey. The 6-foot, 255-pound tight end entered 2021 as a freshman and is now a sophomore fellow who had one of the most colorful games in college football last season. Casey scored a game-winning two-point conversion to secure Kansas’ upset victory over Texas on November 13, 2021. He ended the campaign with eight catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Casey’s production this season could be hampered by redshirt sophomore Trevor Cardell, who is also in contention for a spot in the starting tight end.
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10. Georg’Quarius Spivey, TCU
Spivey is a senior who is looking to secure a spot at TCU after falling by the wayside last season. The 6-5, 245-pound tight end had 10 games and three starts, but he only recorded three catches for nine yards. However, Spivey’s 2020 campaign better shows his potential. In his sophomore year, the Mississippi tight end threw 11 balls for 121 yards. TCU would welcome such production from Spivey this season.
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