5 days ago
Ranking all 18 Big Ten tight end rooms from worst to first
The tight end is often the unsung hero of a successful classic Big Ten offense. Great players at the position provide a rare combination of blocking prowess and efficient receiving. When Michigan, Iowa, or old-school Wisconsin are at their best, a deceptive play-action game allows their tight ends to be some of the most productive receivers on the field.
The Big Ten saw six tight ends selected during the 2025 NFL draft -- three of whom were selected in the first two rounds. Those players were Michigan's Colston Loveland (first round, No. 10 overall), Penn State's Tyler Warren (first round, No. 14 overall), Oregon's Terrance Ferguson (second round, No. 46 overall), Nebraska's Thomas Fidone (seventh round, No. 219 overall), UCLA's Moliki Matavao (seventh round, No. 248 overall) and Iowa's Luke Lachey (seventh round, No. 255 overall).
Those programs will now need strong replacements in 2025. In all likelihood, the player who emerges in their respective starting slots will have a significant say in the team's success on offense.
Position Previews: Defense -- Offense -- Quarterbacks -- Running Backs -- Wide Receivers
Now, less than seven weeks away from kickoff, here is a look at those replacements, as well as the Big Ten's full ranking of tight end rooms.
18. Northwestern Wildcats
Starter: Alex Lines (Redshirted at New Mexico State in 2024)
Northwestern has more questions than answers at tight end entering 2025. Lines transfers in after redshirting in 2024. He tallied 138 yards on 10 catches for Arizona back in 2021 before spending a year at Garden City CC, then one at New Mexico State. He's joined in the room by senior Hunter Welcing. Combined, the two have just 12 career receptions over eight seasons at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
17. Purdue Boilermakers
Starter: George Burhenn (1 reception, 3 yards in 2024)
Purdue is tasked with replacing All-Big Ten tight end Max Klare, who transferred to Ohio State this offseason. Burhenn is the favorite to take the role. While he only caught one pass in four games last season, he tallied five receptions for 74 yards and a score as a freshman in 2023. UNLV transfer Christian Moore also has a chance to win this job.
16. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Starter: Luke Lindenmeyer (5 receptions, 50 yards in 2024)
Lindenmeyer is Nebraska's likely starting tight end in 2025. The former walk-on finally entered the stat sheet last season, catching five passes for 50 yards. The Cornhuskers' other option is quarterback-turned-tight-end Heinrich Haarberg. Either way, this room won't replicate Thomas Fidone's 36 receptions and 373 yards from a season ago.
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
15. Washington Huskies
Starter: Quentin Moore (1 receptions, 14 yards in 2024)
Washington has a high-ceiling, low-floor tight end room. Quentin Moore enters his fifth year with the program in 2025. He played just one game last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end has a ton of potential; he just needs to stay on the field.
Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire
14. Illinois Fighting Illini
Starter: Tanner Arkin (16 receptions, 111 yards, 3 TD in 2024)
Arkin was a dependable red-zone threat for the Fighting Illini in 2024, turning three of his 16 receptions into touchdowns. He has real breakout potential entering 2025. Illinois has one of the conference's better quarterbacks in Luke Altmyer and a strong supporting cast. If the team's running game takes off, Arkin could double his touchdown total.
13. UCLA Bruins
Starter: Hudson Habermehl (9 receptions, 148 yards 3 TD in 2024)
Habermehl has tallied 24 catches, 315 yards and five total scores over the last two seasons. Those numbers could skyrocket with Tennessee transfer Nico Iamaleava under center for the Bruins in 2025. Just like with Arkin, Habermehl could very well finish as a top-half tight end.
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire
12. Indiana Hoosiers
Starter: Holden Staes (15 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD at Tennessee in 2024)
Staes is an intriguing player entering the 2025 season. The former blue-chip prospect spent two years at Notre Dame before transferring to Tennessee in 2024. His combined 30 catches, 307 yards and five touchdowns in 2023/2024 give a glimpse at what to expect when he joins the Hoosiers' offense in 2025. Notably, he'll benefit from having one of the conference's better signal-callers in Fernando Mendoza under center.
11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Starters: Kenny Fletcher Jr. (20 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD in 2024), Colin Weber (21 receptions, 213 at Charlotte in 2024)
Tight end is one of Rutgers' strengths entering the 2025 season. The room is deep with Fletcher and Weber, two players who caught over 20 passes a season ago. The duo should provide QB Athan Kaliakmanis with two of his more dependable receiving targets.
10. Michigan Wolverines
Starter: Marlin Klein (13 receptions, 108 yards in 2024)
While Klein is mostly inexperienced, with only 14 career catches, Michigan deserves the benefit of the doubt at this position. The program has gone from Luke Schoonmaker to A.J. Barner to Colston Loveland over the last few years. It's unlikely Klein matches that trio of NFL draft picks. However, he should emerge as one of the more important players on the 2025 Michigan offense.
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire
9. Maryland Terrapins
Starter: Dorian Fleming (49 receptions, 558 yards, 6 TD at Georgia State in 2024)
Dorian Fleming may be Maryland's best offensive player in 2025. The Georgia State transfer broke out in 2024 with 558 yards and six scores. On an offense that lost nearly its entire production after the 2024 campaign, expect Fleming's name to rise to the top of its statistical leaders.
8. Wisconsin Badgers
Starter: Lance Mason (34 receptions, 590 yards, 6 TD at Missouri State in 2024)
Wisconsin's tight end position has been an interesting follow this offseason. The program first landed Ball State transfer Tanner Koziol -- one of the portal's top players at the position. He then reentered the portal during spring practice, forcing the program to pivot to Missouri State transfer Lance Mason. Mason is set to play a major role as the program shifts back to a pro-style offense under Jeff Grimes. Strong quarterback play could help Mason to a top-five finish.
7. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Starter: Jameson Geers (28 receptions, 290 yards, 4 TD in 2024)
Geers delivered a solid season as Minnesota's starter in 2024. While the team is worse off at quarterback with Max Brosmer gone, it's reasonable to expect Geers to take another step forward in 2025. He's a classic high-floor, low-ceiling option entering 2025.
6. Iowa Hawkeyes
Starter: Addison Ostrenga (15 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD in 2024)
Iowa is one of the few programs that deserves the benefit of the doubt at tight end. It sent George Kittle, Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson to the NFL in the late 2010s. Just in the last three years, Sam LaPorta, Erick All and Luke Lachey were all draft picks. Ostrenga had limited production as Lachey's primary backup in 2024. He could now be in for a major breakout as the full-time starter, plus with Mark Gronowski looking like the Hawkeyes' most talented quarterback in five-plus years.
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
5. USC Trojans
Starter: Lake McRee (24 receptions, 245 yards in 2024)
McRee is poised for a major breakout in 2025. He shares an offense with one of the Big Ten's best and most crowded receiving corps (Makai Lemon, Ja'Kobi Lane and Zachariah Branch), which could make targets hard to come by. But if the Trojans' offense is performing at its capability, McRee could be among the conference's leaders in touchdown receptions.
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire
4. Penn State Nittany Lions
Starter: Luke Reynolds (9 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD in 2024)
Reynolds has major shoes to fill with All-American Tyler Warren off to the NFL. The true sophomore performed well as Warren's backup last season. He's a former five-star recruit and the No. 29 overall player in the class of 2024, so none should be surprised if Penn State doesn't miss a beat at the position.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
3. Michigan State Spartans
Starter: Jack Velling (36 receptions, 411 yards, 1 TD in 2024)
Velling is one of the more experienced returning starting tight ends in the Big Ten this season. He's topped 400 yards in each of the last two seasons, one at Oregon State and one at Michigan State. 2025 should see his touchdown total return to the six-to-eight range after he notched only one in 2024. Velling is a near lock to finish as one of the conference's top-tier players at the position.
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire
2. Oregon Ducks
Starter: Kenyon Sadiq (24 receptions, 308 yards, 2 TD in 2024)
Oregon has yet another top talent at the position after Terrance Ferguson's departure to the NFL. Sadiq fared well as Ferguson's backup last season, eclipsing the 300-yard mark. While quarterback Dante Moore can't possibly recreate Dillon Gabriel's Heisman-caliber season, Sadiq should be one of the Big Ten's more productive tight ends.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Starter: Max Klare (51 receptions, 685 yards, 4 TD at Purdue in 2024)
The rich often get richer in college football. That was the case this offseason, as Ohio State landed Purdue transfer tight end Max Klare. The rising junior totaled nearly 700 yards at Purdue in 2024 while playing in one of the worst offenses in the country. His move to Ohio State has 1,000-plus yards written all over it.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
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