PFF Ranks Brant Kuithe as No. 3 Returning Tight End

Brant Kuithe has not played a snap in nearly two years yet many expect him to be one of the best college tight ends in 2024

Excitement for the Utah Utes 2024 season is palpable and hype surrounding some of the team's most interesting storylines is beginning to build. One of those storylines is the return of Brant Kuithe, the Utes star tight end who has not suited up in nearly two years.

Third time’s the charm. pic.twitter.com/DE6fhNbtR3

— Brant kuithe (@Brantkuithe14) January 9, 2023

Before tearing his ACL and meniscus in a 2022 game against Arizona State, Kuithe had been the Utes premier receiving threat, leading the team in receiving yards in both 2019 and 2021.

Due in part to the length and severity of his injury, but also because of the quick ascension of Dalton Kincaid, many Utah fans seem to have forgotten how valuable Kuithe is to the Utah offense. However, PFF College’s Max Chadwick is here to set the record straight, as he ranked Kuithe the No. 3 player in his “top-10 returning tight ends for the 2024 season” list.

Top 10 Returning Tight Ends for the 2024 Season🔥

(Via: @MaxChadwickCFB) pic.twitter.com/GQnFCqu6i6

— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 21, 2024

Chadwick, who ranks the top returning players at every position before each new season, called tight end, “one of the most loaded positions” for the upcoming CFB campaign.

“While he’s been mostly absent for the last two seasons, Kuithe still deserves a high ranking on this list for what he did in the three years prior,” wrote Chadwick.

“He was named to PFF’s All-Pac 12 team every year from 2019-2021 and was a third-team All-American as a sophomore in 2019. He led all FBS tight ends in that span with 31 forced missed tackles while having the fifth-most receiving yards in that span (1,449). With both quarterback Cameron Rising and Kuithe returning for their seventh seasons, Utah should be seen as the favorite in the new-look Big 12 next season.”

High praise, but fully earned. When healthy, both Rising and Kuithe have been among the best in the country at their respective positions. Moreover, it’s not often that a team gets two players with over five years of collegiate experience to return.

With almost two years to fully heal from his injury, Kuithe should be back with the otherworldly explosiveness he played with in his first three seasons. Additionally, since Kuithe last suited up with the team, Utah has done a great job filling out the rest of their tight end room.

Utah added Auburn transfer Landen King before the 2023 season and UCLA’s Carsen Ryan this transfer window. King played well in his first season with the Utes, hauling in 14 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan had a similar 2023 stat line with UCLA, bringing in 13 receptions for 205 yards, and 3 touchdowns. PFF College recently ranked Ryan as the second highest-graded transfer tight end.

Past offenses led by Cam Rising and offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig have shown that multiple tight ends can coexist within the Utah system. While Kuithe will undoubtedly get the starting reps, King and Ryan will be close behind to shoulder the load.

Regardless of how the depth chart looks… Utah's tight end room is stacked.