Texas Tight End Suffers Injury In Spring Practice

Texas Tight End Suffers Injury In Spring Practice: What It Means for the Longhorns’ 2025 Season

Spring practice is typically a time of excitement and optimism for college football teams, as players return to the field to shake off the rust and fine-tune their skills for the upcoming season. However, this time of year can also bring unforeseen challenges. For the Texas Longhorns, the latest setback came in the form of a significant injury to one of their key players. Evan King, a senior tight end expected to be a focal point of the offense, has been injured during spring practices, casting a shadow over Texas’ preparations for the 2025 season.

King, who had already become a key contributor for the Longhorns, had been primed for a breakout year. His injury raises several important questions about the future of the Texas offense. How will the Longhorns cope with the loss of a key player in a crucial position? Will this injury force Texas to rethink their offensive game plan for the upcoming season? Will they look to the transfer portal to add depth at the tight end position? In this article, we’ll break down the injury, what it means for Texas, and how the Longhorns could respond as they move forward with their 2025 campaign.

The Injury: What Happened to Evan King?

The injury to Evan King occurred during a routine spring practice session, which is often a time for teams to evaluate younger players and make sure their veterans are in top shape for the upcoming season. King, a 6’5″, 250-pound senior, had been a reliable target in Texas’ offense, known for his ability to make contested catches in the red zone and his physicality as a blocker in the running game. However, it was reported that during a non-contact drill, King suffered what has been officially confirmed as a torn ACL, which will likely sideline him for the entire 2025 season.

This injury is a massive blow for the Longhorns, as King had become a favorite target in quarterback Arch Manning’s developing system. Not only had King been a reliable pass-catcher, but his blocking ability had also been crucial in both the running and passing games. His absence will leave a significant void at tight end and could impact the team’s offensive game planning, forcing head coach Steve Sarkisian to adjust.

The Impact on Texas’ Offense

Evan King’s role in the Texas offense was expected to be crucial in the 2025 season. As a seasoned veteran in the program, King had been an anchor in the passing game, providing a dependable outlet for Manning, especially in the red zone. Tight ends are often pivotal pieces in Sarkisian’s offensive system, which emphasizes balance and versatility, and King’s ability to stretch the field, both in the air and as a blocker, made him a key player in helping to execute that system.

1. Loss of Versatility in the Passing Game

One of the most significant impacts of King’s injury will be felt in the passing game. Tight ends often serve as safety nets for young quarterbacks, and King had developed a strong rapport with Manning over the last year. His ability to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties with his size and athleticism was a critical component in Texas’ offensive scheme. Without King, Texas loses a trusted option who could make tough catches in traffic and provide Manning with a reliable outlet in high-pressure situations.

King’s absence means that the Longhorns will need to find other ways to attack defenses, particularly in the short-to-medium passing game. While Jake Carter and Chris Miller, the other tight ends on the roster, have shown promise, neither has the same combination of size, athleticism, and experience that King brought to the table. It’s likely that Sarkisian will have to adjust his playcalling to accommodate the change, which could mean relying more heavily on the wide receivers or even incorporating more running back routes into the passing game.

2. Impact on the Running Game

Another key aspect of King’s game that will be missed is his blocking ability. Tight ends are essential in any offense that features a balanced run-pass attack, and King’s proficiency in both pass protection and run blocking made him a vital part of the Longhorns’ ground game. His ability to seal the edge and block linebackers and defensive ends allowed Texas to run with consistency in between the tackles.

With King sidelined, Texas will need to rely on other tight ends and offensive linemen to pick up the slack. Players like Jake Carter and Isaiah Neyland—who have experience but are not yet proven commodities—will need to step up. The Longhorns will also be forced to use more running backs in blocking situations or to tweak their running schemes to account for the lack of an experienced blocking tight end.

Sarkisian’s system thrives when there is balance, and the absence of King creates a hole in both the passing and running games. Whether Texas can successfully plug that gap will depend on the performance of their other tight ends and how effectively they can adapt their game plan.

The Texas Tight End Depth Chart: Can They Weather the Storm?

While losing Evan King is a significant setback, it’s important to remember that Texas has some talent on the roster at the tight end position, even without him. Though King was expected to be the star of the group, there are still capable players who could help the Longhorns navigate this situation.

1. Jake Carter

Jake Carter, a junior tight end, now becomes the primary tight end for the Longhorns. Carter has been a solid contributor over the last few seasons, known for his reliable hands and strong blocking skills. At 6’6″, 245 pounds, Carter is a big target for Manning and has the potential to fill some of the void left by King’s injury. He may not have King’s ability to stretch the field vertically, but Carter is a reliable player who could become an even bigger part of the offense in King’s absence.

Carter’s development will be one of the key storylines of the offseason. If he can take on a larger role as a pass-catcher while maintaining his blocking duties, Texas may be able to weather this injury without making drastic changes to their system.

2. Chris Miller

Chris Miller is another player who will be expected to step up. A 6’4″, 240-pound sophomore, Miller has the size and athleticism to make an impact, but he is still somewhat unproven at the collegiate level. However, Miller has shown flashes of potential in spring practices, and if he can build on that momentum, he could provide an added dimension to the offense. His ability to make plays in the passing game and his toughness as a blocker will be crucial for the Longhorns going forward.

3. Isaiah Neyland

Isaiah Neyland, a redshirt freshman, is another player who could factor into the equation. While he may not have the same experience as Carter or Miller, Neyland is an athletic tight end with great upside. The coaching staff has expressed confidence in his development, and if he can step up, Neyland could be an important piece for the Longhorns this season.

Should Texas Hit the Transfer Portal?

With King out for the season, the Longhorns might find themselves in a position where they need to look beyond their current roster to strengthen the tight end position. While Carter, Miller, and Neyland are all talented players, none of them has proven the consistency and all-around game that King possessed. If Texas wants to stay competitive at the highest levels in the Big 12 and potentially on a national stage, adding an experienced tight end through the transfer portal might be the best option.

The transfer portal has become a vital resource for teams seeking to plug gaps in their rosters, and Texas has been active in the portal in previous seasons. They could target a veteran tight end who has experience in a similar offensive system and could come in and make an immediate impact. Given the importance of the tight end position in Sarkisian’s offense, this could be a necessary move for the Longhorns.

There are a number of quality tight ends in the transfer portal every year, many of whom are looking for a fresh start or a bigger role. If Texas is able to land a player of this caliber, it could provide the stability and depth needed at the position.