The Texas Longhorns have seen their fair share of players deciding to leave the Forty Acres for the NFL in recent weeks. However, tight end Cade Brewer was not one of them, and he announced Monday he plans to return in 2021.
The Longhorns will have quite the tight end group in 2021. They are scheduled to return Brewer, Malcolm Epps, Jared Wiley, Brayden Liebrock and incoming freshman Gunnar Helm. Will the tight end rotation look much different than it did this year? Brewer played the most snaps (438) of any tight end on the roster. Wiley came in behind him with 286, Epps with 56, and Liebrock at 33.
Brewer Stats:
| Year | Games | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
| 2017 | 7 | 9 | 80 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 0 |
| 2019 | 7 | 11 | 159 | 1 |
| 2020 | 7 | 13 | 110 | 2 |
Brewer tied a career-high in games played and touchdown receptions. He set a career-high in receptions. When it comes to Brewer, is his return more of progress stopping or does he provide more on the offense? Given how he was utilized it feels more of the former. Wiley is more dynamic and while he played considerably fewer snaps, he had a lot more production.
Run it back. #2021 pic.twitter.com/4q7msoSd9B
— Cade Brewer (@CadeBrew10) December 19, 2020
The combination of Wiley, Epps, Liebrock and even the freshman Helm provide much more athleticism at the position. Brewer feels more like a throwback to the old school style at tight end like a Geoff Swaim. The younger guys below him on the depth chart are more of the new wave of tight ends.
Let’s just hope they can utilize these guys better in 2021.