Ben Kenney
July 12, 2024 7:10 am CT
The calendar has flipped to July, which means undivided attention and focus can be paid to the upcoming 2024 college football season.
Conference media days are now only days away. It will be our first legitimate look at the sport’s new landscape after this offseason’s significant realignment.Oregon,USC,UCLAandWashingtonwill attend a Big Ten media day schedule that now includes 18 teams, whileTexasandOklahomawill make their first appearances as SEC competitors. It will be a harsh dose of reality that will only grow stronger when the season kicks off in late August.
Related:One Big Ten game to watch each week of the 2024 football season
While there is still some more movement to come on the class of 2025 recruiting trail, right now it is all-systems-gotoward the fast-approaching season.
Our preview work here at Badgers Wire will continue throughout the month with in-depth looks at every Big Ten team and position group. It will provide a comprehensive look at what Wisconsin will face both in 2024 and beyond.
Team Previews:Indiana Hoosiers — Purdue Boilermakers — Illinois Fighting Illini — Northwestern Wildcats — Minnesota Golden Gophers — Nebraska Cornhuskers — Iowa Hawkeyes — Rutgers Scarlet Knights — Maryland Terrapins
Position Previews:Quarterbacks — Running Backs — Wide Receivers — Offensive Lines — Tight Ends — Defensive Line — Linebackers
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Our preview work moves through the offensive side of the football, today with a ranking of every tight end in the conference:
1
Colston Loveland (Michigan)
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland makes a catch against Washington during the second half of U-M’s 34-13 win in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats: 45 receptions, 649 yards, 4 touchdowns
Loveland was a star on Michigan’s national championship-winning team in 2023. He’s back in 2024 as not only the best tight end in the Big Ten, but one of the best in the sport.
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis, and opinions on Wolverines Wire
2
Terrance Ferguson (Oregon)
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson (3) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 42 receptions, 414 yards, 6 touchdowns
Oregon has weapons everywhere on offense. Ferguson will be one of the team’s top pass-catchers in 2024 after productive seasons in 2022 and 2023. Loveland and others may be better, but not many will finish with better numbers.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis, and opinions on Ducks Wire
3
Luke Lachey (Iowa)
Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey (85) runs after a catch as the Hawkeyes take on Utah State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats: 10 receptions, 131 yards
Lachey broke his ankle during Iowa’s Week 3 win over Western Michigan in 2023. He was Iowa’s No. 1 receiving threat entering the season, and his injury played a big role in the Hawkeye offense having an all-time bad season.
Lachey is now healthy entering 2024 and is set for a monster season catching passes from Iowa QB Cade McNamara. The Hawkeyes seem to always have a top-end, NFL-caliber tight end. Lachey is the next in that line.
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis, and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
4
Tyler Warren (Penn State)
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) runs after a catch against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 34 receptions, 422 yards, 7 touchdowns
Warren is one of the top 2025 NFL draft prospects at the position entering the season — ranked behind Loveland and Lachey. He broke out during Penn State’s 10-win 2023 campaign and is poised for an even bigger season in 2024.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis, and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
5
Thomas Fidone (Nebraska)
Sep 23, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Thomas Fidone II (24) runs for a touchdown against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 25 receptions, 260 yards, 4 touchdowns
Fidone was the No. 1 tight end in the class of 2021 and a top-50 player in the class. He chose Nebraska over top programs including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame. Every top program in the country was on Fidone’s offer sheet, yet he committed to Scott Frost and Nebraska. Then, through years of losing and Frost getting fired, he stayed for the Matt Rhule era.
His 2023 season was mostly average, thanks mostly to Nebraska’s disastrous quarterback situation.
Not many tight ends have more potential than Fidone entering 2024. If five-star QB Dylan Raiola hits, he could be in for a monster season.
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis, and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
6
Jack Velling (Michigan State)
Michigan State’s Jack Velling participate in a drill during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.Nick King/Lansing State Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats (at Oregon State): 29 receptions, 438 yards, 8 touchdowns
Velling followed. head coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State this offseason and will enter the season as one of the Spartans’ top pass-catching options. He took a substantial leap forward from 2022 to 2023, and is poised to continue that trajectory this season.
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis, and opinions on Spartans Wire
7
Zach Horton (Indiana)
Indiana Hoosiers tight end Zach Horton (44) runs after a catch against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Terry Jones Jr (12) during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats: 27 receptions, 275 yards, 6 touchdowns
Horton followed head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana after playing a big role in James Madison’s terrific 2023 season. He is part of a strong transfer class that will help the Hoosiers start to step forward after only nine combined wins over the past three seasons.
8
Moliki Matavao (UCLA)
Nov 11, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins tight end Moliki Matavao (88) leaps over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Shamari Simmons (7) after making a catch during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gallardo-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 14 receptions, 283 yards, 2 touchdowns
The former Oregon transfer was an ascending player on the 2023 Bruins. That status is a bit in question with former HC Chip Kelly gone and a new offensive system in place. But a full season of Ethan Garbers under center should be an improvement after struggles from the position in 2023.
If UCLA’s offense hits a groove, Matavao will certainly benefit.
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis, and opinions onUCLA Wire
9
Lake McRee (USC)
Sep 30, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; USC Trojans tight end Lake McRee (87) in the first quarter against Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 26 receptions, 262 yards, 1 touchdown
McRee’s role has grown each season since joining USC in 2021. He is a pass-catcher who will get plenty of snaps in a Lincoln Riley offense — that usually leads to strong production.
Get more (USC) news, analysis, and opinions on Trojans Wire
10
Cole Rusk (Illinois)COMMIT: #illini land Murray State transfer TE Cole Rusk (@ColeRusk1)
⁰FCS All-American and Illinois native is a proven Division-I pass catcher to help replace Tip Reiman.READ MORE: https://t.co/q59uI9Jg7L pic.twitter.com/lUtbZgiKi2
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) January 5, 2024
2023 Stats (at Murray State): 39 receptions, 512 yards, 6 touchdowns
Rusk could be one of the conference’s sleepers at the position after transferring to Illinois from Murray State this offseason. He was Murray State’s leading receiver in 2023 by a wide margin.
11
Gee Scott Jr. (Ohio State)
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Gee Scott Jr. (88) runs off the field following the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats: 10 receptions, 70 yards, 1 touchdown
No more Cade Stover means an expanded role for Scott in 2024. He’s a former four-star recruit and the No. 37 overall player in the class of 2020, so the talent isn’t much of a question. He still needs to prove it on the field with last season’s 10-catch, 70-yard output being the largest of his career.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis, and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
12
Quentin Moore (Washington)
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies tight end Quentin Moore (88) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 2 receptions, 10 yards, 1 touchdown
Moore steps into the starting role at Washington with six-year seniors Devin Culp and Jack Westover gone after the 2023 season. He is in position for a great season with QB Will Rogers under center and Jedd Fisch on the sidelines.
It is no Michael Penix — Kalen DeBoer duo. But Moore should benefit from a productive overall offense.
Get more (Washington) news, analysis, and opinions on Huskies Wire
13
Max Klare (Purdue)
Purdue Boilermakers tight end Max Klare (86) catches a pass during the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 44-19.Alex Martin/Journal and Courier-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats: 22 receptions, 196 yards
Klare will benefit from another season of continuity under head coach Ryan Walters. He was only a redshirt freshman in 2023, playing on an offense that was in search of an identity.
14
Preston Howard (Maryland)
Dec 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Maryland Terrapins tight end Preston Howard (85) celebrates after a touchdown reception during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 13 receptions, 160 yards, 1 touchdown
Maryland is in a transition season with QB Taulia Tagovailoa finally out of eligibility. Howard’s role should increase, but there’s a real question about the caliber of QB that will be throwing him the football.
15
Thomas Gordon (Northwestern)
Oct 8, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats tight end Thomas Gordon (87) is tackled by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jake Chaney (36) in the first quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 13 receptions, 112 yards, 1 touchdown
Gordon will be a sixth-year senior in 2024. He has captured a role in the Wildcats’ passing attack over the past two seasons, albeit a small one.
16
Tucker Ashcraft (Wisconsin)
Oct 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Tucker Ashcraft (38) catches a pass to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 8 receptions, 86 yards, 1 touchdown
Wisconsin’s tight end position is a work in progress under HC Luke Fickell and OC Phil Longo. Ashcraft will be the team’s top option again in 2024, though look out for the young talent in the room to win snaps.
17
Nick Kallerup (Minnesota)
Dec 26, 2023; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Jameson Geers (86) celebrates with tight end Nick Kallerup (87) after scoring a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 3 receptions, 12 yards
Brevyn Spann-Ford is finally off to the NFL, which leaves a sizable void at tight end. Kallerup is a redshirt senior, though doesn’t have much history receiving the football. This position appears to be a work in progress for the Gophers entering 2024.
18
Kenny Fletcher (Rutgers)
Piscataway, NJ — April 27, 2024 — Kaj Sanders and Kenny Fletcher during Rutgers annual spring football game at SHI Stadium. Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats: N/A (switched from defensive line)
Fletcher is a wild card entering 2024. The former defensive lineman recorded 10 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for the Scarlet Knights over the past two seasons. He now plays tight end for an offense looking to take another step forward after a strong 2023 season.
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis, and opinions on Rutgers Wire
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