Countdown to Kickoff: Jack Endries
This is the addition that gets the Texas fans as excited as any this offseason. Gunnar Helm was a really important piece to the Texas offense a year ago and replacing him with Jack Endries keeps that incredible ability at the TE position. Endries is coming off a year where he was the leading receiver on the Cal Golden Bears. He came over the spring portal window and filled a rather big hole at the TE position.
2024 Stats: 56 catches, 623 yards(11.1 yards/catch), 2 TDs
Endries is a player that really resembles Gunnar Helm in his play style and ability. He does most of his damage over the middle of the field, something that Sarkisian loves to use with his TEs. He also is a plus blocker in pass pro and in the run game. He can be a true chess piece in this Texas offense, but the upside is incredible.
His athletic ability jumps off the page immediately, and it seems that is showing itself throughout the early parts of camp. He comes into a room where he will be the TE1 without question and will be given opportunity after opportunity in this offense, going into a year where he could make plenty of NFL money. Given Sarkisian's track record with TEs, it's likely Endries will have his best year yet this year.
The versatility that Endries can bring to the offense might be even greater than what Helm gave Texas a year ago. He has great hands, can line up just about anywhere and can make plays after the catch. That was a true strength of Gunnar Helm's game, and I think Longhorn fans will see plenty more of that this year. The question is his deep route ability, but it seems much of that is more Cal's offense than anything else. He will get his changes for those seam shots Helm got last year.
He opens the year with the second best odds to win the John Mackey Award, in a year where the TE position is incredibly talented. Eli Stowers, RJ Maryland, Max Klare and more will have a footprint on this season, but Endries could very well be the most productive of the bunch.
The biggest part of his role this season is the leadership he will provide to a talented, but young room. Jordan Washington, Spencer Shannon, Nick Townsend and more will factor in, but getting guidance from a more experienced player will be huge for their development. It also gives Texas some flexibility at the position, knowing they have a reliable option in their back pocket at all times.
Endries and Mosley were the two pass catchers Texas went out and got in the portal and I think they are both perfect fits. They both should be guys that can make big time plays consistently for the Longhorns, including in Week 1 vs. Ohio State. Continuing with the countdown tomorrow, I will jump into the freshman pass catching options for the Horns. Daylan McCutcheon, Michael Terry III and more will be factors for Texas this year, so let's break them down tomorrow.
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