Big 12 power rankings: Which TCU tight end cracked the top 10?
The Big 12 quietly had a strong year at tight end last season with standouts like Baylor’s Micheal Trigg and Houston’s Tanner Koziol.
Most of those players are gone, in the NFL or off to the SEC or Big Ten, opening the door for younger players to step up into bigger roles.
There are a handful of key returners across the league, but most of the Big 12 will be relying on talented, but inexperienced options like TCU, Kansas and Cincinnati.
The Star-Telegram continues its preseason Big 12 power rankings with a look at the tight ends across the conference:
1. Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech
Last year’s stats: 55 receptions, 624 yards, five touchdowns
Breakdown: Carter thrived in Lubbock after transferring in from Louisiana. Carter is the lone returning All-Big 12 selection from last season and will enter 2026 as one of the nation’s most elite tight ends.
2. Dylan Wade, Central Florida
Last year’s stats: 43 receptions, 523 yards, five touchdowns
Breakdown: Wade set program records in receptions, yards and touchdowns for a tight end last season. Wade could have an even bigger year with the Knights expected to have better quarterback production.
3. Garrett Oakley, Kansas State
Last year’s stats: 38 receptions, 389 yards, six touchdowns
Breakdown: Oakley was a matchup nightmare for the Wildcats last season, especially in the red zone as the 6-foot-5 pass catcher set career highs in every major category.
4. Walker Lyons, BYU
Last year’s stats: 20 receptions, 223 yards, two touchdowns at USC
Breakdown:A former high school All-American, Lyons was productive last season with the Trojans, but opted for a change of scenery in Provo. Lyons could be the Cougars’ No. 1 option with uncertainty at wide receiver.
5. Patrick Overmyer, Houston
Last year’s stats: 27 receptions, 344 yards, five touchdowns at UTSA
Breakdown: The Cougars had one of the country’s best tight ends last season with Tanner Koziol, who departed for the NFL. Houston found him at Ball State and are hoping to have similar success with Overmyer, who had over 600 yards in two seasons with the Roadrunners.
6. Cole Rusk, Arizona
Last year’s stats: 19 receptions, 217 yards, one touchdown at Illinois
Breakdown: The arrival of Rusk was a big addition out of the transfer portal for the Wildcats. The 6-5 senior is experienced and capable of putting up big numbers like when he had 512 yards at Murray State in 2023.
7. Tyler Fortenberry, Iowa State
Last year’s stats: 32 receptions, 294 yards, two touchdowns at Arkansas State
Breakdown: The Cyclones needed to replace production all over, especially after losing Benjamin Brahmer to Penn State. Fontenberry arrives in Ames along with his quarterback from last season Jaylen Raynor. Fontenberry could have his most productive season.
8. Tony Livingston, Baylor
Last year’s stats: 11 receptions, 119 yards, two touchdowns at Florida
Breakdown: With the arrival of quarterback DJ Lagway from Gainesville, the Bears opted to bring in a familiar target to help Lagway be more comfortable. Livingston started five games last season for the Gators.
9. Zach Atkins, Colorado
Last year’s stats: 20 receptions, 149 yards
Breakdown: Atkins was a reliable short-yardage option for the Buffaloes last season and will hope for chances to attack downfield with Colorado hoping for more consistent quarterback play.
10. Ka’Morreun Pimpton, TCU
Last year’s stats: one reception, three yards, touchdown
Breakdown: Pimpton struggled with injuries last season, but the former North Crowley standout has plenty of upside and was one of TCU’s most consistent offensive performers during spring camp. Pimpton is in line to have the first chance at replacing DJ Rogers.
Best of the rest
11. Josh Sapp, West Virginia
12. Gavin Grover, Cincinnati
13. Carson Bruhn, Kansas
14. Kristian Ingram, Arizona State
15. Noah Bennee, Utah
16. Donovan Green, Oklahoma State
