By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
June 9, 2025
Tight Ends are versatile cogs in a capable offense, called upon to make tough catches in traffic, chip away at edge rushers, and open up holes for backs.
They are often key targets in the red zone, and we have some good ones in the west.
Today, as we continue looking ahead to the 2025 college football season, we look at the region’s top TEs.
1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Sadiq is a great blocker with a huge catch radius when the ball is thrown to him. He caught 24 passes last season with a pair of TD receptions.
Sadiq can come down with the ball in traffic and break away from would-be tacklers once the catch is made.
2. Trey Leckner, Washington State
He has the speed to be a vertical threat over the middle, and his soft hands should make him a target in the scoring zone. The sophomore saw his most action in the Holiday Bowl vs Syracuse, and we got a glimpse of what his production could be this season.
He should be a weapon in the Cougs’ offense this fall.
3. Matt Lauter, Boise State
A reliable target, he finished the season with 47 receptions for 619 yards, with both figures ranking second-most for the Broncos in 2024. His seven TD receptions were the most for Boise State last year.
Look for an even more productive 2025 for the pass-catching TE.
4. Chamon Metayer, Arizona State
Over the course of his career with the Bearcats and ASU, he has caught 56 passes for almost 600 yards, with 10 of them being TDs.
Metayer should play an even larger role in the ASU attack in 2025.
5. Riley Williams, Oregon State
Williams is the prototypical TE at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, and he can be a load to bring down in the open field.
He has the athleticism to stretch the field a bit and should open up the middle for the Beavs in 2025.
6. Lake McRee, USC
He returned from that injury and saw action in 10 games during his junior season, but his production was not the same as at the start of the year.
McRee is back for a fifth season with the Trojans and should be an integral part of the offense.
7. Quentin Moore, Washington
He is a solid blocker and will help in the run game.
In the passing game, Moore will be a reliable target underneath and in scoring opportunities.
8. John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
He is an incredibly good pass-catching TE who can get open and make plays.
For his career, he has averaged 14.8 yards per reception.
9. Hudson Habermehl, UCLA
A total of 20.8% of his career receptions have been touchdowns.
Look for the Bruins to utilize him even more this season when the offense gets inside the 20.
10. Carsen Ryan, BYU
A good blocker who can make plays downfield.
Ryan has double-digit receptions in each of the last two seasons and could play a significant role in the red zone for the Cougars this season.
11. Sam Olson, Arizona
With soft hands and a large catch radius, he’s an excellent receiving TE who can stretch the seam when needed.
Last season, he averaged 15.1 yards per reception.
12. Var’Keyes Gumms, UNLV
He saw limited action with the Razorbacks but put up good numbers as a freshman with North Texas.
Gumms is a solid blocker with good hands.
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Ranking the Top 12 College Football Tight Ends in the West
> The best players at the position who are expected to play for the region's programs in 2025 - June 9, 2025 -
Ranking the Top 12 Offensive Linemen in the West
> The best players at the position who are expected to play for the region's programs in 2025 - June 4, 2025 -
Ranking the Top 12 CFB Defensive Linemen in the West
> The best players at the position who are expected to play for the region's programs in 2025 - June 2, 2025