Texas Longhorns TE Gunnar Helm Set For Breakout Season? 'Never Been More Hungry'

Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm enters 2024 with some fiery motivation.

Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm (85). / Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

AUSTIN -- Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm showed impressive flashes wearing the Burnt Orange last season, but did so while being understandably overshadowed by tons of NFL talent around him.

With his ability never in question, Helm now finds himself with a huge opportunity to show the country that last season was just the beginning for him. Combine this with the fired-up motivation he displayed when speaking to the media on Thursday, and it's hard to imagine Texas fans wanting anyone else to be the team's starting tight end next season.

Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm (85) runs for a touchdown after making a catch against Iowa State / Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA

Helm, who went to Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colo., talked about the 5-7 season Texas had two years ago and how the feeling of losing was new for him after coming from a successful program. The bounce back to 2023 featured a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff berth, but the loss to Washington in the CFP now appears to be the driving force for Helm's motivation entering the 2024 season.

"I'm trying to win as many as games as I can, and I want to win a championship," Helm said. " ... Coming here my first season being 5-7, no bowl game, coming from a predominantly-winning high school program, I wasn't really used to losing. Getting all the way up to the peak and falling at almost the highest peak, I've never been more hungry in my life for anything."

Texas Longhorns TE Gunnar Helm is all about winning heading into the 2024 campaign after how last season ended.

“I’ve never been more hungry in my life.” https://t.co/VD5auQtn8u pic.twitter.com/K03mKUuSMs

— Zach Dimmitt (@ZachDimmitt7) April 11, 2024

Many fans might be wondering how the Longhorns will replace the production left by Ja'Tavion Sanders, but Helm isn't worried about replicating the star tight end.

"To be honest with you, we love JT, (but) we're not trying to be Ja'Tavion, we're trying to be Gunnar Helm, Juan Davis, Amari Niblack, whoever's in there," he said. "We're trying to be the best version of ourselves."

Helm finished 2023 with 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns. With Sanders being far from 100 percent healthy vs. Oklahoma, Helm stepped in and caught four passes for 67 yards, both season-best marks, and a touchdown in the loss to the Sooners.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian had some high-level praise for Helm when speaking to the media on Tuesday.

"Gunnar a year ago had a really good season for us," Sarkisian said. " ... We put more on Gunnar's plate and he really responded at a high level. You can feel his confidence this spring. He's got a great understanding of our offense, he's extremely smart, he's tough. He made more plays last year in the passing game, and I think we're seeing that more this spring."

Helm and the Longhorns will take the field in front of fans for the Orange-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 20.