While most of the big names are leaving the conference, some new faces emerged at the tight end position in the Sun Belt last season. What started as a youth movement has turned into upperclassmen finally getting their shot after years of pacing in the background.
The tight end hierarchy is shifting in the conference, and our 2024 Sun Belt TE rankings examine how they stack up against each other.
2024 Sun Belt TE Rankings
10) Konner Fox, Texas State Bobcats
After transferring from Kansas State before last season, a broken foot shortened Konner Fox’s output to just seven starts. He still managed 10 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets.
Fox is the No. 1 TE for the Bobcats heading into his senior year, though he’ll have some competition with returner Titus Lyons and Oklahoma transfer Blake Smith.
9) Tyler Fromm, Georgia Southern Eagles
The lone newcomer in the top 10 of our Sun Belt TE Rankings, Tyler Fromm is with Georgia Southern for his final season of eligibility after spending four years with the Auburn Tigers. The brother of former Georgia QB, Jake Fromm caught 14 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown at Auburn.
As Keaton Upshaw prepares for the NFL Draft, Fromm looks to take his spot in Clay Helton’s up-tempo offense.
8) Manny Stevenson, Jr., Arkansas State Red Wolves
Manny Stevenson Jr. started the first eight games for the Red Wolves last year with 18 catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns. He split time with fellow returner Miller McCrumby, who started the last five games making 14 catches for 129 yards.
He might be part of a package at the TE position in Jonesboro, but he’ll still see plenty of targets next season.
7) Cade Conley, Marshall Thundering Herd
In his first season with extended playing time, Cade Conley caught 23 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore last season.
Despite much of the offense transferring, including fellow TEs Marcus Veles and Beau Blakenship, Conley stuck around and is cleared to take over for the new-look Thundering Herd offense next season. He’ll also have a new quarterback throwing him the ball.
6) Terrence Carter, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
As a redshirt freshman last season, Terrence Carter came off the bench and caught 28 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns. He even returned two kicks, running one back 30 yards.
With senior tight end Neal Johnson moving on, the path is cleared for Carter to take control of the TE spot for Louisiana.
5) Ahmon Green, Georgia State Panthers
Entering his fifth season at Georgia State, Ahmon Green had his best year last season with 19 catches for 147 yards and four touchdowns. With 30 career games under his belt, he’s the elder statesman of the room.
MORE: 2024 Sun Belt Power Rankings
He took hold of the starting role last season and still has it in his grasp heading into 2024.
4) Ethan Conner, Troy Trojans
Transferring in from EMCC last year, Ethan Conner didn’t necessarily light up the boxscore too much his first season with Troy, grabbing 16 catches for 168 yards and four touchdowns.
The 6’4″ senior showed versatility in JUCO, playing short-yardage quarterback and receiver before switching to TE. There’s a chance he has to split time with Brody Dalton, who started four games in 2021, but the big-bodied target is favorite to command targets in the Trojans’ offense.
3) Kendell Karr, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
After three seasons at North Carolina, Kendell Karr transferred to Coastal Carolina to team up with head coach Tim Beck for the 2023 campaign. He caught 23 passes for 239 yards and five touchdowns last season.
With Matt Alaimo off to the NFL, his role will only increase in 2024, and he’s set to establish himself as one of the top tight ends in the Sun Belt.
2) Eli Wilson, Appalachian State Mountaineers
An All-Sun Belt Second Team selection last season, Eli Wilson is the only tight end with conference accolades returning for the 2024 campaign and rightfully secures a spot near the summit of our Sun Belt TE Rankings.
Wilson broke out in his fourth year with the Mountaineers, grabbing 34 passes for 350 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. He’s the clear No. 1 TE for App State heading into his senior season.
1) DJ Thomas-Jones, South Alabama Jaguars
DJ Thomas-Jones has scored eight touchdowns over the last two seasons since transferring in from Ole Miss, catching five last year with 27 catches for 235 yards.
KEEP READING: 2024 Sun Belt QB Rankings
He split time as the starter each season, hauling in 24 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns in 2022. With Brandon Crum graduating, Thomas-Jones is the unquestioned leader of the Jaguars’ tight end room heading into his senior year.
2024 Sun Belt TE Rankings | 11-20
11) Kyirin Heath, Southern Miss
12) Miller McCrumby, Arkansas State
13) Kyi Wright, JMU
14) Jacarious Clayton, Marshall
15) Wyatt McClour, ULM
16) Cane Berrong, Coastal Carolina
17) Aiden Steinfeldt, Marshall
18) Titus Lyons, Texas State
19) Taylor Thompson, JMU
20) Justyn Reed, Southern Miss
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!