Talented Tight Ends Ready for Bigger Role in 2026

As an offensive coordinator, Will Stein got his tight ends involved on a regular basis. Now that Stein is a head coach, Kentucky fans are likely to see even more of that trend.

Following Monday’s practice, tight ends coach Justin Burke spoke to the media about his talented tight ends room. Burke likes what his unit brings to the offense and how versatile they are as a group.

“With the tight end position, just being able to do everything, being able to plug in,” Burke said. “Be one of those guys that, if we have somebody go down or we have this personnel, having those guys be able to do everything. Play outside, play in the box. Then, go execute at a high level. Then, the more you can do, the more you get to do.”

If the tight ends can do multiple jobs, Burke believes it opens up the playbook even more.

“You’ve got different skill sets, different things they are good at,” Burke said. “You can get really multiple. That allows you to be a really dynamic offense with your personnels and people.”

The leader of the tight end group is junior Willie Rodriguez, who started all 12 games last year. The Covington Catholic product caught 23 passes for 310 yards and a touchdown. Burke believes that Rodriguez does things the right way, and he has given the tight end some advice.

“Stay humble and hungry,” Burke said. “That’s the biggest thing for any player who has had great success and wants to be great. He doesn’t have to be told anything. He just comes to work every single day and he plays that way. He plays with an edge, practices with an edge, has an intense focus. He doesn’t say much but when he does, his words carry weight.”

Henry Boyer, who caught five passes last season, has reshaped his body, something that Burke hoped he would do in the offseason.

“Henry was around 280 and now, I’ve got a Henry who is 265 because he’s just put the work in,” Burke said. “Still that great blocker and (has) been able to improve on his hands and all of those things we’re asking tight ends to do.”

Sophomore Mikkel Skinner is an intriguing prospect who is still developing, according to Burke.

“I think the biggest thing is the consistency,” Burke said. “Being able to come to work every single day and know exactly what he’s going to do. He’s a young dude that comes to work. One of those deals for him is (the) next play mentality, the focus. When you can play fast and free because he knows his assignments, I think those are the things he’s improved upon.”

The tight ends figure to be a big part of the UK offense this fall, and the talented group is ready for the challenge.