Dallin Hoker, Mark Redman, Tre Watson, Treyton Welch, and Dominick Mazotti all left the conference this offseason, either for the NFL Draft, transfer portal, or graduation. As such, the Mountain West tight end landscape is a relative unknown. Nevertheless, we dove into the top 10 in our 2024 Mountain West TE Rankings.
Mountain West 2024 TE Rankings
Spring football is here, and with it comes position battles that will shape rosters entering the 2024 season. There is also the possibility of programs tapping into the transfer portal to fill needs before the summer. As such, current depth charts are fluid, with these projected TEs holding starting positions … for now.
10) Travion Williams, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
While we could’ve gone with New Mexico’s Trace Bruckler here, Travion Williams is the more compelling athlete. After playing two seasons of basketball at D2 Cal State Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif., Williams’ friends urged him to attend a Sacramento State-hosted football camp, where he wowed Hawaii’s coaching staff enough to earn a scholarship.
He spent the 2023 season honing his craft, and if the 6’5″ athlete with a 37″ vertical earns playing time this year, he could turn some heads. We’d also be remiss not to mention Devon Tauaefa, who may end up the Rainbow Warriors TE1 when all is said and done.
9) Jake Boust, Fresno State Bulldogs
Tre Watson’s departure for Washington leaves a hole in the Bulldogs’ offense — one Jake Boust hopes to fill. He’s played in every game over the last two years, albeit mostly on special teams, catching nine of 13 targets for 53 yards and a score.
Despite the lack of production, Boust is a strong blocker, and the former walk-on knows a thing or two about earning his keep.
8) Vince Brown II, Colorado State Rams
As is the case for much of the bottom five, Vince Brown II’s ranking is all about potential. Dallin Hoker and Trey McBride have spoiled the Rams, but as Colorado State showed in 2022, if they don’t have a receiving threat at TE, they simply won’t throw to the position.
At a listed 6’7″ and 375 pounds, Brown II appears to be next in line at TE for the Rams. He caught four passes for 32 yards in his first year on campus last season. Brown II spent 2021-2022 at the College of DuPage, winning back-to-back NJCAA National Championships. In 2022, he led the team in receiving yards (373) and hauled in four touchdowns on 20 receptions.
7) Broc Lane, Utah State Aggies
With Terrell Vaughns out the door, there are 122 targets up for grabs in the Aggies’ offense, and Jalen Royals and Micah Davis can only take on so much of the workload.
Broc Lane proved a reliable weapon over the middle, snagging 21 passes for 201 yards and a score. He even lined up in the slot over 50% of the time, highlighting Utah State’s willingness to get him involved in the passing game.
6) Matt Lauter, Boise State Broncos
The Broncos didn’t target their TEs all the much in 2023, as Matt Lauter led the way with a 9-157-3 receiving line. Riley Smith began the year as the starter before ceding the role to Lauter as the season progressed.
MORE: 2024 Mountain West Weekly Football Schedule
Smith is gone, vacating 18 targets at the position. With Malachi Nelson coming to town, it’s easy to envision Lauter at least doubling his production, although there is only one ball and plenty of offensive firepower in Boise.
5) Keleki Latu, Nevada Wolf Pack
If Keleki Latu’s last name looks familiar, you likely know his older brother, UCLA EDGE — and 2024 NFL Draft prospect — Laiatu Latu. Coming over from Cal, Keleki assumed Nevada’s starting TE position and was having a solid campaign before a left ankle injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Prior to the injury, he generated 179 yards on 14 catches, splitting his snaps from inline and the slot. He flashed his YAC ability, forcing a handful of missed tackles. If he’s healthy and receives better QB play (it can’t get much worse), Latu could put up impressive numbers.
4) Kaleo Ballungay, UNLV Rebels
Most eyes were on Shelton Zeon III entering last season for UNLV’s TE room, but Kaleo Ballungay quickly relegated him to a primary-blocker role. On 18 receptions, he picked up 13 first downs and scored two TDs, certifying himself as the Rebels’ resident chain mover.
At 6’6″ and 260 pounds, he won’t make many defenders miss in the open field, but he has no issue leaning forward and picking up yards after the catch.
3) Michael Harrison, San Diego State Aztecs
Exit Mark Redman; enter Colorado’s Michael Harrison. A former walk-on, Harrison followed new head coach Sean Lewis to the Aztecs.
Catching passes from Shedeur Sanders, he reeled in 31 balls for 284 yards and five TDs. At 6’3″ and 215 pounds, he more resembles a receiver than a tight end, but he meshes well with Lewis’ offense and should remain productive in 2024.
2) Sam Olson, San Jose State Spartans
With QB Chevan Cordeiro on to the NFL and starting TE Dominick Mazotti transferring to UMass, the Spartans need Sam Olson to be a sure-handed weapon underneath. A lower-body injury caused him to miss multiple weeks in the middle of the year, but in the last two games of the season, he exploded for 10 catches, 182 yards, and two TDs.
Olson is aggressive at the catch point and has some wiggle with the ball in his hands, and in a full year as the starter, he’ll push for All-Mountain West recognition.
1) John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming Cowboys
John Michael Gyllenborg stole the spotlight from Treyton Welch last season, turning 23 catches into 360 yards and three TDs to Welch’s 32-327-2 line. While most of his reps came inline, the Cowboys had no issue splitting him out to the slot and even the boundary.
KEEP READING: 2024 Mountain West Power Rankings
As such, it’s not a surprise that Wyoming pushed the ball downfield to him. Not only can he come down with contested catches and pick up YAC due to his 6’5″ frame and physicality, but he’s also a fluid mover with better-than-expected route-running skills.
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!