
Tight Ends used to be a mere extension of the offensive line. Not quite as big as your typical tackle position, but agile enough to turn outside edge rushers away from the QB or throw a downfield block to clear a lane for a running back into the secondary. Then they were slowly utilized in mismatches against slower linebackers and made safeties choose who to assist in coverage. Many NFL teams today feature Tight Ends as their second-most important offensive player and can sometimes overshadow the quarterback.
In today’s college game, most tight ends are just larger receivers used in a hybrid role that can throw some blocks downfield when needed. Georgia Tech often deploys a two-tight-end set, which allows a receiving threat and the other as an additional blocker.
Last year, the position totaled 653 yards and featured a senior-laden group, including an elite blocker in Jackson Hawes, who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills for his punishing blocking. The group will need to find new leaders, but there is experience returning and a transfer to help a younger unit find its footing.
Departures
Jackson Hawes – Drafted 5th Round, Buffalo Bills
Avery Boyd – New York Jets Minicamp Invite
Ryland Geode – Graduated
Jackson Hawes came to The Flats for one year after transferring from Yale and will be sorely missed as he continues to the NFL. He wasn’t the primary receiving threat, though he still tallied 195 yards, but he had a massive frame to sit in the middle if the offense needed to pick up chunk yardage for a first down. His primary role was to be the hammer on the edge, and he built a reputation for being a vicious blocker who would routinely take his defender to the ground.
Avery Boyd transitioned to tight end from wide receiver in his final year. His size always suited the position, and he had a solid year with 316 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ryland Geode came for one season from Mississippi State and had a couple of catches scattered through the season, with one touchdown coming in the bowl against Vanderbilt.
Returning
Brett Seither – Medical Redshirt
Luke Harpring – 3 Receptions 43 yards
Josh Beetham – 3 Receptions 29 yards
Seither would have likely been a starter last season, but suffered an ACL tear during Fall Camp and was ruled out for the year. He had some clutch catches in the 2023 season with multiple touchdowns in the game against North Carolina, one of which would become the game-winning touchdown in the 46-42 shootout.
Harping and Beetham both made a few receptions last year but were used sparingly. Beetham did have a start for one game last season, and both have the size to be used similarly to Jackson Hawes.
Newcomers (247 Rating)
J.T. Byrne – Transfer from California
Connor Roush – 3-Star 94th Position
Kevin Roche – 3-Star 95th Position
Georgia Tech brought in JT Byrne from fellow conference member Cal to help the depth, and he is another over 250-pound tight end. He has played in 16 games over his two years with the Golden Bears, though he has not recorded any stats in the receiving game.
Incoming freshmen Roush and Roche are both probably going to have a development year behind a loaded position group. Though Kevin Roche might get an early look on sheer size alone as he stands at a lofty 6’9”, and could be a serious issue to cover for some shorter secondary.