In 2019, Malcolm Epps was used in the wide receiver role mostly due to needing depth at the position with injuries to Collin Johnson that elevated Brannon Eagles into a starting role for half of the season. Another reason this factored in was the fact that Cade Brewer was starting at tight end. Epps was a hybrid tight end-wide receiver that has become such a craze in the NFL.
Standing 6’6″, Epps is a huge target that the Longhorns could use in 2020 especially in the red zone. With his height and long arms, it gives quarterback Sam Ehlinger a big target next season. His catch radius is huge and he will catch passes outside of that huge frame.
Epps can line up in the slot to create mismatches, he still needs to work on his blocking to be an inline tight end. Given that he played basketball allows him to fall on that experience to block out defenders on contested catches. With a player his size and catching ability, all you need to do is throw it up and let Epps go get it. Not many defenders will have the length to contend with him down the field.
Tight end isn’t really a position that has provided much of a presence in the passing game over the years for Texas but that could all change in the upcoming season. Not only because of Epps and Brewer but new play caller Mike Yurcich likes to get the tight ends involved in the passing game. He used multiple tight ends this past season at Ohio State.