Tight End
Shane Carter: Cade Brewer
It’s very reasonable to assume that this years highest rated recruit, Ja’Tavion Sanders, is the future at the tight end position. However, Cade Brewer is the best receiving tight end the Longhorns have had since David Thomas. Young quarterbacks rely on tight ends to get open when they’re under duress and Brewer has shown the ability to do that.
It will be interesting to see how well Brewer does in this new system as well as if he’s able to stay healthy this year. Otherwise, Sanders or the giant known as Jared Wiley, can slip in and take away his targets.
Griffin McVeigh: Ja’Tavion Sanders
When you have a dynamic player such as Sanders, you find a way to get him on the field as soon as possible. Sarkisian has talked about the five-star prospect playing both offense and defense but Sanders has made it clear he wants to focus on the offensive side of the ball. How could you not want to when Sarkisian is running the show? It may take a while as we saw with Bijan Robinson, but Sanders will eventually become the every-down tight end.
Cami Griffin: Cade Brewer
I have to choose Cade Brewer here because I think he has the experience and overall talent to secure the starting role for the time being. However, Jared Wiley will be used much more in the passing game under Sarkisian than he was with Tom Herman running the show. Wiley’s big-play ability and solid hands will take away targets from Brewer. Five-star prospect Ja’Tavion Sanders will likely receive his fair share of targets, as well.
I don’t feel comfortable securing a starter at this position as there’s several talented athletes in the room, but if anyone has the upper hand at the moment, it’s Brewer.