With less than 45 days until Texas football kicks off the 2025 season with a rematch of their College Football Playoff Semifinal contest last year, taking on defending national champions Ohio State (11 a.m. CT/FOX) at Ohio Stadium, we’re previewing the Longhorns’ roster with a position-by-position preview series.
As we have over the last two seasons, each position will be previewed from several angles including what team sources are telling us, recruiting at the position over the last three years, the future outlook for the position and an in-depth look at the players on this year’s roster.Â
The last edition of the series started our look at Texas’ pass catchers, previewing the Longhorns wide receiver room.
Now, it’s on to the tight end position who will again be led by position coach Jeff Banks.
Last year saw Gunnar Helm go emerge as the senior tight end went from being used primarily as a blocker and secondary option in the pass game – rounding into an all-around player at the position who turned in one of the finest seasons by a Longhorn tight end in program history.
The offseason saw Amari Niblack transfer to rival Texas A&M, which paves the way for a slew of new talents to make their mark.
Third-year player Spencer Shannon and sophomore Jordan Washington are returners who are most likely to see snaps in 2025, while the addition of former Cal standout Jack Endries gives Banks and head coach Steve Sarkisian one of the top receiving tight ends in the nation.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder began his career as a walk-on with the Golden Bears, despite being rated as a 247Sports three-star recruit coming out of Danville, CA (Monte Vista HS) and brings two seasons of starting experience to the Longhorns.
Endries brings a big-bodied frame with solid all-around athleticism.
247Sports’ has a verified 40-yard-dash time of 4.68 for Endries coming out of high school and during his time with Cal, Endries saw a steady amount of work operating out of the slot – an area that Steve Sarkisian has used both Ja’Tavion Sanders and Gunnar Helm over the last three seasons.
