Junior tight end Amir Jackson accounts for all the production in Florida's tight ends room from a season ago. (UAA file photo)
Gators Position Preview: Tight Ends
Friday, August 28, 2026 | Football
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By: Ryan Roddy, FloridaGators.com Student Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.
That's it. That is the returning production from Florida's tight ends, all on the heels of one player, Amir Jackson.
Along with Jackson, Micah Jones stayed. The Gators lost four players at the position to the portal following the 2025 season. Fret not, however. They added six players in the offseason, four through the portal and two high school signees.
New offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner has historically been unafraid to use his tight ends. Multiple tight end sets are not out of the picture. Tight ends who can block, can catch and can do both will have a role in an offense new to the confines of the Swamp.
The Gators' 2026 tight end room is intriguing because of several new faces and the mystery they hold. Evan McKissack, who came with Sumrall from Tulane, coaches the room. He was the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator for the Green Wave, but coached tight ends at his alma mater, Troy, under Sumrall, and at Murray State before that. The incoming tight end transfer class is highlighted by Luke Harpting, who followed Faulkner from Georgia Tech. On paper, Harpring does not have staggering size for the position. However, he was quite productive as a backup for the Yellow Jackets a season ago. He caught 13 passes for 158 yards. Harpring comes from a long line of athletes, highlighted by his dad, Matt Harpring, who played 10 seasons in the NBA. The Atlanta native seems to be set up to get a bulk of the reps at tight end as a versatile pass catcher.
Luke Harpring is on the run after catching a pass during preseason camp. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
And when discussing the position, Jackson is arguably the most physically gifted of the group. He will challenge Harping. The highlight of Jackson's season last year came when he caught an opening-drive touchdown against Texas A&M. Now, as one of two returners, he's set up to see more action this season. Lacota Dippre is another player likely to see the field. Like Harpring, Dippre is better known as a vertical threat. At James Madison last season, he had 17 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Interestingly, he also had four carries for 49 yards and a touchdown. With his gadget production, Dippre was named an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention in 2025 and will be an interesting weapon for Faulkner and Co. Heze Kent is a freshman, but you would not be able to tell if you looked at him. In spring camp, he was listed at 300-plus pounds. Many wondered whether he would be forced to switch to offensive or defensive tackle, but he lost more than 20 pounds in the offseason, and head coach Jon Sumrall recently said Kent has the best ball skills in the group. But he lacks experience. Still, with unique size for a tight end, Kent is not to be underestimated as an athlete. He has proved he can go up, high-point the ball, and gain yards after the catch. And what seems obvious, he has the size to hold his own at the line of scrimmage.
Evan Chieca comes from a first-year Division I program, New Haven (FCS). The 2025 Phil Steele All-Northeast Conference second-teamer was second on the team with 31 catches and four touchdowns, along with his 255 receiving yards, which ranked fourth. A reliable target, Chieca can be another weapon in Faulkner's arsenal. One player who did not catch touchdown passes, but rather bounce and chest passes, is Jaylen Jordon. That's right, he played basketball last season for Jacksonville University. He participated in Florida's 2026 Pro Day as a tight end, then joined the program as a walk-on. Many successful tight ends have a basketball background, so Jordon is an interesting project to watch.
If season started today: It is reasonable to assume that many of the tight ends would see reps in Faulkner's offense. Harpring and Jackson look to be leading the way, followed by Dippre and Kent. You cannot count out any of the other tight ends, though. Through the first two weeks, fans should get an idea of which tight ends will be getting the most work. Depth at the position is extremely valuable, and the Gators have it after attacking in the portal.
Speculation: Fans likely will see Kent firsthand based on his trajectory during preseason camp. Sumrall said he's far from being a finished product, but Kent's size and athleticism could open doors for him to be utilized in different sets. It is not easy for a freshman to see the field at any position early in the SEC, let alone one that demands physicality and technicality. The coaching staff holds the final say.
Quote of note: "I think we're definitely tight end by committee right now, especially with a lot of the different types of body parts. Coach always says we're like the land of misfit toys over there. I call them the disciples sometimes. You know what I mean? So, everybody's got a role, and they kind of understand where they get to. I like how the room is jelling, and they understand." —McKissack on his position group
