Texas A&M Revamps Tight End Strategy Ahead of 2025 Season…

Texas A&M Revamps Tight End Strategy Ahead of 2025 Season…

The Texas A&M Aggies are making a bold shift on offense in 2025, and at the heart of that transition is the tight end position. After a lackluster showing last season, the coaching staff is determined to retool the group and create a bigger role for tight ends in the offensive scheme.

In 2024, Texas A&M’s tight ends contributed only 521 yards on 34 receptions, managing just three touchdowns all season. For a program with SEC championship ambitions, those numbers underscored a glaring weakness. That production ranked near the bottom in the Southeastern Conference, and it became clear that if the Aggies wanted to compete with the league’s elite, they needed a stronger presence in the middle of the field.

To address the issue, the Aggies went to work in the transfer portal and recruiting trail. Three new faces now join the unit: Amari Niblack, who spent time at both Texas and Alabama, Nate Boerkircher from Nebraska, and Micah Riley out of Auburn. Each brings a different skill set, adding both depth and versatility. Alongside these newcomers is Theo Melin Ohrstrom, one of the few returning options, who is expected to play a leadership role in the room.

Offensive coordinator Collin Klein, now in his second year guiding the Aggies’ attack, is the architect behind this redesign. Klein, a former Kansas State star quarterback and a coach known for creative formations, has emphasized the importance of leveraging the tight end position as a mismatch weapon.

“We’re going to make defenses respect every inch of the field,” Klein recently explained in practice sessions. “Tight ends give us flexibility—they can line up on the line, in the slot, or motion out wide. It forces defenses to declare how they want to cover us.”

Klein’s new plan involves frequent two-tight-end sets, a formation that provides both blocking strength for the running game and additional threats in the passing game. This adjustment could also open up the field for quarterback Marcel Reed, who is entering his second season as starter. By drawing coverage inside, Reed may have more room to target receivers deep, an area that has been inconsistent in his development.

Each of the transfers brings something unique to College Station:

Amari Niblack is considered the most dynamic pass-catching threat of the group. His athleticism and experience in high-powered offenses give A&M a weapon in the seams, an area they struggled to exploit last season.

Nate Boerkircher adds a physical, blue-collar presence. Known for his blocking and toughness, he could be the key to establishing a reliable run game behind the Aggies’ offensive line.

Micah Riley is versatile, able to contribute both as a receiver and blocker. His adaptability makes him an option for multiple roles depending on the game plan.

These players, paired with Ohrstrom’s returning experience, create the deepest tight end room A&M has fielded in several years.

The Aggies’ struggles in 2024 weren’t just about talent. Opposing defenses consistently exploited the predictability of their formations. Without a reliable tight end threat, linebackers and safeties were free to cheat toward the run or shade outside to help against wide receivers.

By remodeling the tight end position, Klein hopes to fix that issue. The ability to disguise plays out of two-tight-end looks could make the Aggies far less predictable. If defenses load up against the run, Klein can flex his tight ends into passing routes. If they commit to coverage, Texas A&M can lean on the ground game behind added blockers.

While the transfers bring new talent, Theo Melin Ohrstrom remains a vital piece of the puzzle. Entering his junior season, he’s one of the few veterans in the position group. His familiarity with the system and rapport with quarterback Reed provide a foundation on which the rest of the tight ends can build.

Ohrstrom’s role is expected to expand beyond just production. Coaches are counting on him to mentor the newcomers, ensuring they adapt quickly to both the playbook and the SEC’s physical style of football.

Texas A&M’s commitment to reshaping its tight end usage reflects a broader push to make the offense more balanced. In 2024, too much of the burden fell on wide receivers and running back Rueben Owens. Defenses keyed in on those playmakers, leaving Reed with few reliable options in crucial moments.

If the tight ends emerge as legitimate threats, that pressure could ease significantly. Opponents will be forced to respect the middle of the field, potentially freeing up opportunities for explosive plays outside and over the top.

Moreover, the renewed emphasis on tight ends fits neatly into the SEC’s evolving landscape. Programs like Georgia and Alabama have long leaned on dominant tight ends to create mismatches. Texas A&M’s investment in this area signals that the Aggies are serious about catching up to the standard set by the conference’s perennial powers.

As the 2025 season approaches, optimism is growing in College Station. The tight end position, once a weakness, could transform into a strength if the revamped unit delivers as expected. While questions remain about how quickly the group will gel, the Aggies’ decision to overhaul their approach has already sparked enthusiasm among players and fans alike.

For head coach Mike Elko, who enters the season with rising expectations, the hope is that this remodeling effort will provide Texas A&M with a new dimension on offense. With a deeper and more versatile tight end room, the Aggies might finally have the balance needed to compete for SEC titles and beyond.