Florida Football has developed two young tight ends into pass-catching threats, which bodes well for the position in 2024.
Redshirt sophomores Arlis Boardingham and Hayden Hansen have combined for 439 yards and 6 receiving TDs in 2023. In 2022, Florida has just 3 combined TD receptions at the tight end position.
The increased production received from the tight end helped the Florida alligators finish 2023 as the seventh-best passing attack in the SEC, with UF averaging 259.3 yards per game through the air.
Both Hansen and Boardingham have had another offseason to develop under Florida head coach and co-offensive coordinator Russ Callaway, who also has great roster potential in second-year tight end Tony Livingston.
“Hayden has done a tremendous job transforming his body in a positive way,” Callaway said. “Arlis did the same thing and Tony did the same thing. I think we have a really good group and I’m excited about these three guys.”
Here’s a look at Florida’s tight ends entering the 2024 season:
Florida football starting TE
Hansen started 9 of 12 games for the Gators last season, finishing with 12 receptions for 150 yards and 2 TDs. At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, Hansen was a big target for UF in the red zone and strong blocker at the point of attack. A former high school quarterback from Weatherford, Texas, Hansen was also adept at running routes.
“I’m getting more confident with my hands,” Hansen said. “I think last fall camp I was kind of catching on with my body a little bit, I’m starting to trust my hands even when I’m tired.”
Florida Football TE Depth
Boardingham emerged as a pass-catching threat for the Gators in 2023, finishing the season with 26 receptions for 289 yards and 4 TDs in 12 games (two starts). The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Boardigham said he is working hard in the offseason to become a more complete tight end, which includes taking on blocking responsibilities.
“Working on that run blocking, getting stronger, just lifting more weights and just making sure I understand the technique behind it,” Boardingham said.
Sophomore Tony Livingston (1 catch for 4 yards in 2023) is another big UF tight end target at 6-foot-1 and 253 pounds. Defensive lineman Gavin Hill (6-foot-3, 253), a former Buchholz High standout, was moved to tight end during the offseason to help as a blocker near the goal line. Senior tight end Keon Zipperer missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his ACL the previous spring, and it’s unclear how much UF’s former 2022 starting tight end will be able to contribute this season.
Florida Football TE Future
Amir Jackson (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) arrived on the UF campus this summer. A four-star recruit and 152nd-ranked player nationally out of Portal, Ga., Jackson possesses the speed and athletic ability to become a future pass-catching threat. A standout basketball player, Jackson averaged 13.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals as a junior for a Portal team that went 28-2.
This article originally appeared in The Gainesville Sun: 2024 Florida football tight ends preview
