Roster

• #87 Zach Heins (6-7, 250, Sr.)
• #85 Tucker Kraft (6-5, 255, Jr.)
• #34 Mike Morgan (6-3, 235, Sr.)
• #80 Nate Sullivan Jr. (6-2, 210, So.)
• #12 Regan Bollweg (6-3, 220, RFr.)
• #89 Brody Gormley (6-7, 220, Fr.)
• #88 Greyton Gannon (6-4, 210 Fr.)
• #83 David Alpers III (6-6, 225, Fr.)

Chris Meyers is in his first year coaching the tight ends for the Jackrabbits. His previous stops include Oklahoma State, SFA, and TCU. He enters a loaded room with two standouts who are on the radar of NFL teams. Meyers believes he is bringing a different perspective and is helping the guys handle their business. Meyers loves the FCS level and connected to the job through his time at Oklahoma State with former Jackrabbit coach, John Johnson. Overall, Meyers is impressed with the group. They are intelligent, work hard, are leaders on the team, and are a bunch of playmakers.

The group starts with Tucker Kraft who is generating considerable NFL buzz. Tucker has the option to return for another year but the possibility of being a top-50 NFL draft pick has to be enticing! He was recently ranked as the #3 TE in the 2023 draft by The Athletics Dane Brugler. Meyers started by talking about how good of a person Tucker is. He credits him with being a hard worker and wanting to be great. Jackrabbit fans know that Tucker is dangerous as a receiver but he has transformed into a dominant blocker. Meyers says that his strong hands and great feet are part of what makes him so special. Tucker has been a fun prospect to follow as he has transformed from a 9-man wing back to one of the best tight ends in all of college football.

Zach Heins has also seen buzz around his game grow. For years, coaches have raved about his soft hands and catch radius. It has also been apparent to Jackrabbit fans how devastating he is as a run blocker. Meyers pointed to Zach’s intelligence and just knowing how to play the game. His size and skill combination is really unique and the Jackrabbit offense will be looking for ways to get him in favorable matchups. Zach has been mocked as a late round to preferred free agent tight end.

A personal favorite is the swiss Army knife, Mike Morgan. It seems like every time the H-Back gets his hands on the ball he makes a play. Meyers said that Morgan had an impressive spring. Meyers has high expectations for Morgan this fall and says that they will find ways to get him on the field because they feel he’d be an all-conference type of player on most rosters. What sets Morgan apart is his ability in the open field. Like Kraft, Morgan played running back in high school so part of that elusiveness stems from that experience.

There are two returnees who are battling for the 4th tight end travel spot on the roster. Nate Sullivan Jr. is converting from wide receiver and is adding weight. Meyers credits him with working hard to transform his body, keeping a positive mindset, and not being scared of mixing it up at line of scrimmage. Obviously, Sullivan Jr. has the ability to catch the ball and get up field and make plays. All-in-all, Meyers is really pleased with his growth at the position. Regan Bollweg is rehabbing from an injury suffered last fall but the reports are good. Meyers was impressed with how Bollweg stayed engaged while rehabbing from injury. Once he is cleared physically, it will be time to put all the mental reps to use.

There is an impressive trio of freshmen at the position who each bring something a little different. Brody Gormley, Greyton Gannon, and David Alpers III are the three guys that Jackrabbit fans should get to know and who are competing for the 4th travel spot. Meyers thinks Gormley has a really high upside because of his size strength and speed combination. He’s a raw athlete and learning to play tight end after converting from playing mostly wide receiver. Gannon is converting from being a high school quarterback but Meyers is happy how competitive he is and his work ethic. Gannon was offered at many different positions and it is easy to see why because of how fluid of an athlete he is for his size. Rounding out the group is David Alpers III who played tight end but was actually more of a defensive standout for O’Gorman. Alpers has the strong basketball background that has made Jackrabbit tight ends so special. Meyers said that he’s a really physical player who will continue to grow in the offense.

If Jackrabbit fans need yet another reason to get to the games, here is another one. This group features 2 (or more) players who will be on an NFL roster within the next 5 years. The talent is there for this group to be great. There is high end talent at the top the depth chart and really strong potential throughout this group. I’m excited to see how the coaches utilize Kraft, Heins, and Morgan in this offense.

Go Jacks!

Matt