Who is the top tight end in the Big 12? Ben Sims, Jahleel Billingsley make a strong case
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The game of football continues to evolve, and so does the role of the tight end.
Once perceived as a primary blocker and a check-down option at best, tight ends are now looked at as bigger wide receivers who can use their speed and athleticism to impact the game.
The Big 12 has some tight ends that fit that mold. With the start of the season here, we continue our series of conference rankings with the tight ends:
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1. Ben Sims, Baylor
Baylor is in need of experienced pass catchers following the departure of wide receivers Tyquan Thornton, R.J. Sneed and Drew Estrada. The trio combined for 1,888 of the Bears' 2,843 receiving yards (66.4%) last season, but Sims is a fifth-year tight end who figures to help fill that void. The 6-foot-4, 253-pound veteran hauled in 31 catches for 361 yards and six touchdowns last season. Sims is a preseason All-Big 12 First Team honoree who has steady hands and a large frame that's hard to miss in the end zone. That should make him a favorite option for redshirt sophomore quarterback Blake Shapen.
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2. Jahleel Billingsley, Texas
Billingsley is an experienced Alabama transfer. The 6-4, 219-pounder made 17 receptions for 256 yards and three touchdowns as a junior last season. Billingsley's arrival in Austin provides a reunion between him and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who served as Alabama's offensive coordinator during Billingsley's breakout 2020 campaign. The then-sophomore made 18 catches for 287 yards and three scores. With tight ends Cade Brewer (graduation) and Jared Wiley (transferred to TCU) no longer in the picture, Billingsley should get plenty of opportunities this season.
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3. Mason Tharp, Texas Tech
Tharp wasted no time carving out a role with the Red Raiders as a true freshman last season. The 6-9, 260-pounder caught 14 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown. Tharp put up those numbers despite playing behind senior Travis Koontz, who hauled in 21 catches for 306 yards and four touchdowns last season before moving on to the NFL. Now that Koontz is gone, Tharp should emerge as a go-to target in Texas Tech's passing game this season.
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4. Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
A second Longhorn in the top five might come as a surprise at first glance, but Sanders has the potential to be every bit as good as Billingsley this season. A former five-star prospect, Sanders was ranked by 247Sports as the top athlete in the Class of 2021. After primarily appearing on special teams last season, he's now a 2022 breakout candidate. Sarkisian described Sanders on Monday as "arguably the most improved player" on the team. Even with Billingsley in the mix, Sanders should be able to thrive due to Texas' 12-personnel passing game, meaning it features two tight ends.
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5. Sammy Wheeler, Kansas State
After being recruited out of high school as a dual-threat quarterback, Wheeler has embraced playing tight end as he enters his senior season at Kansas State. The 6-4, 236-pound veteran hauled in 15 balls for 151 yards and one touchdown last season, but his role should be even larger following the graduation of Daniel Imatorbhebhe. Imatorbhebhe served as Kansas State's top tight end last season with 12 catches for 314 yards and two touchdowns. It isn't hard to imagine Wheeler putting up those kinds of numbers, which would make him one of the more productive tight ends in the Big 12.
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6. Brayden Willis, Oklahoma
Willis recorded career-highs of 15 receptions and 177 receiving yards to go along with two touchdowns last season. The 6-4, 239-pounder then opted to return for his fifth and final year of eligibility. He has spent his entire college career with the Sooners, and he should be able to build on his numbers this season. Willis sits atop the depth chart following the departure of fellow tight ends Austin Stogner (transferred to South Carolina) and Jeremiah Hall (signed with the New York Giants).
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7. Easton Dean, Iowa State
Dean is a redshirt junior who didn't get many opportunities to showcase his skills last season. He made one catch for 18 yards all season while playing behind Charlie Kolar and Chase Allen. Kolar and Allen were named to the All-Big 12 First and Second Team, respectively, but both players are now in the NFL. Dean has garnered high praise in the past from Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, who said in a 2020 interview that Dean would be the "best tight end we've ever had here." It's unclear how well that statement will age. Iowa State's high usage of the tight end position makes Dean one of the more impactful players on this list.
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8. Braden Cassity, Oklahoma State
There isn't much glamor when it comes to the role of Oklahoma State tight ends. It's a group that primarily does the offense's dirty work such as blocking, but Cassity still drew some attention last season. The 6-2, 240-pounder recorded five catches for 66 yards as a redshirt junior and was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Cassity's impact won't be accurately reflected in the stat sheet this season, but he's a gritty veteran with strong leadership qualities.
9. Jared Casey, Kansas
Last year was a wild one for Casey. The 6-foot, 255-pounder entered 2021 as a freshman walk-on and is now a sophomore scholarship athlete who pulled off one of college football's biggest highlight plays from last season. Casey hauled in the game-winning 2-point conversion to secure Kansas' upset win over Texas on Nov. 13, 2021. He finished the season with eight catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Casey's production this season might be hindered by redshirt sophomore Trevor Kardell, who is also competing for the starting tight end spot.
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10. Geor'quarius Spivey, TCU
Spivey is a senior who hopes to carve out a role at TCU after taking a back seat last season. The 6-5, 245-pounder played in 10 games and made three starts, but he only recorded three catches for nine yards. Spivey's 2020 campaign is a better indication of his potential, though. The then-Mississippi State tight end hauled in 11 balls for 121 yards as a sophomore. TCU would welcome that sort of production from Spivey this season.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ranking Big 12 tight ends: Baylor's Ben Sims tops the list
