Previewing the Tight Ends: 54 Days Until Kansas Football

We continue our positional previews with the most versatile position group on the roster.

© Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Each week, we will take a deep dive into one of the 10 main position groups for the Kansas Jayhawks, highlighting the key players to watch and giving you an idea of what to expect from the position this year. This week, we continue our series with more of the offense. Today, we jump into the position that found some unexpected depth at the end of last season: the tight ends.

Other Positional Previews:

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers

Last Season

The Jayhawks had four players log significant minutes at the tight end position in 2022, with all of them playing in at least 11 games. Three of them had roles in the passing game as well. 

Player Name	Games Played	Receptions	Yards	TDs
Mason Fairchild	13	35	443	6
Jared Casey	12	16	218	3
Trevor Kardell	12	5	65	1
	11	0	0	0

While the 2021 season didn't have many big names, let alone ones that returned, the tight end position took a huge leap forward in 2022. Mason Fairchild and Trevor Kardell, the clear leaders at the position in 2021, returned to their roles in 2022. But the impact of Jared Casey against Texas carried over into the 2022 season. 

What stood out the most last year was how versatile the group was.  Fairchild was the third leading receiver on the team, while Kardell was more often involved in big blocks. Casey had both big catches and critical blocks on the perimeter.  And while Tevita Noa didn't catch any passes on the year, he still got some big minutes for the Jayhawks.

Cause For Concern

Looking at all four guys returning, and I can't think of a single reason to be worried about this group. Normally I would say that there would be some worry about players that would move on after this year and how that might affect the plan this season to avoid a huge dropoff. But Nevita is the only redshirt senior, and everyone should still have the option to come back for a COVID year if they choose. 

If I had to pick something, it would be more a concern about how to get some of the others on the roster involved, as the program can't afford to just ignore the development of future players as they look to build a lasting program. But that hardly is a concern for the 2023 results.

Reasons for Optimism

The tight ends benefited from working directly with offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, as they were routinely called on to help fill gaps in the offense with their versatility. And with no changes in the personnel or the staff for these guys, I don't expect anything to change.

With all three of the main pass-catchers back and excelling in multiple roles, it is hard to imagine that the position takes a step back at all. There might be a decrease in the overall production just due to the large number of players and moving pieces that get involved on offense.

Projected Depth Chart

I'll admit that I bought into the hype too much last season, as Jared Casey was able to maintain a role but did not take over the top spot. Instead, the "depth chart" is as muddy as it ever has been. So let's give it another try, preparing to be absolutely wrong once again.

TE1: Mason Fairchild/Jared Casey

As a pure pass-catcher, Fairchild probably stands out as the most capable of the bunch. He has an innate ability to locate the ball and adjust, much like a possession receiver would. The best example of this from last season would be his over-the-shoulder catch in the first half against TCU, where he turned the wrong way for the catch but was able to adjust for a big gain. He will continue to get those opportunities this season.

Casey is a talented pass-catcher in his own right, but is much more successful in the flow of the offense. He benefits a lot more from being schemed open, or taking advantage of confusion. But where he really shines is as a lead blocker, especially on the edge. There are way too many times last season where he sprung a huge gain with a key block for me to actually count.

TE2: Trevor Kardell/Tevita Noa

Kardell has good hands, but seems to have an ability to find the right block in the right spot. It is a trait that is so valuable that it likely kept him from getting more looks in the passing game. But knowing the way this offense operates, I wouldn't worry too much about their ability to get him involved more this year.

The coaching staff was very excited to get Noa as a transfer last year, and he played enough to warrant that excitement. While he came in with the pedigree of a pass-catching tight end, his blocking ability may be one of the best on the team. He was used heavily in that role last year, and I expect it to continue.

Depth

Having four guys that will see the field is already a bunch of depth at the tight end position. I have a hard time imagining that anyone else will get looks in the offense, but there is always a possibility to see some special teams reps.

Coaching Staff

Once again, the Jayhawks don't have an official tight ends coach, but offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has been heavily involved in their day-to-day coaching. Kotelnicki started his career coaching tight ends (among other things) at Western Illinois in 2004, before serving as the offensive coordinator on multiple staffs starting in 2007.

Prior to his time at Kansas, he was the offensive coordinator at Buffalo for 7 seasons, including under Lance Leipold. In his time at Buffalo, he has had multiple all-conference players, including tight-end Mason Schreck in 2016.

Overall Thoughts

The tight ends are absolutely set for this year, as they are likely the only position that is more set than the quarterbacks. With four great options that will all see playing time, it can handle any number of challenges thrown at it.

If you want to find something to worry about with this team, it absolutely can't be this position.

Join the discussion! Come talk about this or any of our articles on the Blue Wing Rising Discord Server.

Follow Blue Wings Rising on Twitter.

Listen to the official podcast of Blue Wings Rising: The Rock Chalk Podcast.