Brett Samson played in 52 games, caught 86 passes for 997 yards and scored 15 touchdowns for the Coyotes over the course of the last five seasons. He has graduated, which opens the door more so for sixth-year senior Austin Goehring and a cast of younger tight ends who each got a taste of collegiate football last season.
 
Goehring has been known more as the 'blocking tight end' the last few seasons, and while that resonates just fine with position coach Ron Crook, a self-described, life-long offensive line coach, it's a label that may not carry into this season's campaign.
 
"Austin is a tough, hardnosed football player," said Crook. "He's strong, has a lot of power and uses those things to his advantage. But I think he also has worked really hard at becoming more of a complete tight end, and truly all of these guys are working hard to hone their craft and be well-rounded at the position."
 
Behind Goehring are a number of third-year players who earned playing time last year, not just on special teams but within the offense. JJ Galbreath caught three passes, two of which were touchdowns. Zach Witte has logged a catch. He, along with Jacob Remmert and Matteo Bonnin, a second-year player, were limited to fewer than five games to qualify for a redshirt season.
 
"There's no substitute for experience," said Crook. "JJ's doing a really great job. He has good athleticism and good hands. Jacob has really pushed our group forward and Zach has come a long way as well. He's had a good camp and made improvements in everything he's doing."
 
Jason Samec is a fourth-year sophomore who is competing at tight end this year after competing for the defense in year's past. Cory Hollinger is a true freshman from Stromsburg, Nebraska.
 
"You can tell as we've progressed through fall camp that things are starting to slow down for Cory," said Crook. "He's had his best two practices this week and he's starting to understand more. Instead of feeling things out to see what's going to happen, you feel it happen and you're able to play with speed. It's hard to play fast when you're not sure how the defense is going to react and the more you start seeing those things, you start going faster and things start happening.
 
"It's been neat to be around a bunch of guys who understand the position the way they do. They understand our offense, our scheme, and it's truly helped me a lot."
 

 
Returning Starters
Austin Goehring, 6^th-year senior (38 GP, 20 catches, 268 yards, 3 TDs)
 
Returning Letterwinners
JJ Galbreath, 3^rd-year sophomore (3 catches, 2 TDs in 2021)
Zach Witte, 3^rd-year freshman  (played in four games in 2021)
Jacob Remmert, 3^rd-year freshman (played in three games in 2021)
Matteo Bonnin, redshirt freshman (played in four games in 2021)
 
Newcomers
Jason Samec, 4^th-year sophomore (position change)