Moving on in our Position Group Preview Series, we take a look at the tight ends. The loss of Jack Velling and Michael Masunas will be felt but there is potential that this year could be a battle for playing time. With some retuning players looking to make their mark and prove themselves, a DII transfer with a storied career, and a trio of freshman, the starting position could just go to the hot hand.
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Nobody returning has the numbers that Velling and Masunas put
up which makes 2026 a year for who will step up and be next?
Departed Players
A look at who’s gone from the 2025 team:
- #12 Jack Velling – 12 games, 36 receptions, 359 yards, 3 TD
- #81 Michael Masunas – 12 games, 19 receptions, 3 TD’s
- #84 Wyatt Hook – 6 games, 0 receptions, 0 TD’s
Jack Velling and Michael Masunas were the two names that were the most productive from the 2025 tight ends. Velling was not drafted but signed by the Falcons and Masunas transferred to Texas for his final year of eligibility. Hook transferred to Akron. Jaxon Wilson who was listed as a tight end last season has switched to EDGE for the 2026 season and is competing for depth.
Returning Players
There are 5 players returning from last season:
- #44 Jay Coyne (R-Sr., 6-1, 235#) – 12 games, 2 receptions, 1 TD
- #88 Kai Rios, TE (R-Sr; 6’6”, 262#) – 9 games, 1 reception, 1 TD
- #31 Jayden Savoury, TE (R-Fr; 6’5”, 253#) – 4 games, 1 reception, 0 TDs
- #82 Brennan Parachek, TE (R-Jr; 6’5”, 249#) – 4 games, 1 special teams tackle
- #48 Charlie Baker, TE (R-So; 6’4”, 252#) – 0 games
New Players
Most of the new players coming in are true freshman.
- #12 Carson Gulker, TE (R-Sr; 6’3”, 245#) – 16 games, 34 receptions, 7 TDs; 541 rushing yards, 5 TDs – Ferris State
- #84 Eddie Whiting, TE (Fr; 6’6”, 254#)
- #86 Ethan Melville, TE (Fr; 6’4”, 213#)
- #87 Joe Caudill, TE (Fr; 6’4”, 232#)
Melville will likely need to beef up his weight and is a walk-on transitioning from QB. Caudill is also transitioning from QB but is a four star prospect. Whiting is called the wild card of the bunch as he had some impressive Power Four offers. Of the three, he would be the one to potentially see action.
Carson Gulker is the interesting name in this group. He started out as a QB with Ferris State and played some tight end. He’s been on 2 championship teams and has put up some numbers rushing and receiving as he was a big part of the Bulldog offense. This will be his 6th year and really his first one as just a tight end. I’m curious to see how he is used on the offense and if there will be some trick plays with him in the lineup to take advantage of his passing ability.
2026 Projection
The tight ends definitely have some competition and it will be interesting to see the direction that Fitz decides to go. Savoury has looked good as of late as he’s raised some eyes with his athletic catches in recent practices. Gulker was very good in DII football; can that type of play transition to DI is the big question on him. I think the freshmen will all be redshirted and won’t see much time if any.
Expected Starters: Brennan Parachek
Likely Contributors: Kai Rios, Carson Gulker, Jayden Savoury, Jay Coyne (for specific run blocking looks)
Who do you think ends up being our best tight end? Will any of the freshmen see the field or will they all be redshirted?
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