Alabama hasn’t seen a tight end surpass 500 receiving yards in a season since Irv Smith Jr. in 2018. In the past five years, only Cameron Latu in 2021 has exceeded 400 yards, finishing with 26 catches for 410 yards. However, this trend might change under the guidance of new offensive-minded head coach Kalen DeBoer.
DeBoer emphasized the importance of the tight end position in his offense: “It’s a critical piece of our offense. It always has been, going back 20-plus years. Having that guy who can control the middle of the field and get vertical, stretching both horizontally and vertically, is crucial for our run and pass game.”
Last season at Washington, despite having three future NFL Draft picks at wide receiver, including first-rounder Rome Odunze, tight end Jack Westover still managed 46 catches for 433 yards and four touchdowns. DeBoer, as offensive coordinator at Indiana in 2019, also had a tight end with 52 catches for 622 yards.
At Fresno State in 2018, DeBoer’s offense prominently featured tight ends, with Jared Rice recording 55 catches for 664 yards. DeBoer’s time at Eastern Michigan also saw tight ends among his top pass catchers.
Alabama senior tight end CJ Dippre is eager for the opportunity to play under DeBoer. Dippre, who transferred from Maryland last season and had 187 yards, is excited about the increased focus on tight ends in the offense. “Historically, tight ends in his offense get the ball a lot,” Dippre said. “So I’m really excited to see how I fit once we get moving in the season.”
Dippre chose to stay at Alabama despite Nick Saban’s retirement, valuing the chance to work with DeBoer. “Coach DeBoer is an offensive coach, so he’s more present on our field than Coach Saban was,” Dippre explained. “It’s awesome to have him here, and he can see what we’re really doing.”
Nick Sheridan, who was originally hired as the tight ends coach and later promoted to offensive coordinator, has helped bridge the gap between the previous coaching staff and the new approach. Current tight ends coach Bryan Ellis benefits from Sheridan’s experience and insights into DeBoer’s system. “It’s been great to have a guy with his knowledge,” Ellis said. “He’s a sounding board for me and helps ensure we’re teaching the offense effectively.”
Dippre and Sheridan have developed a strong connection, which is crucial for their success. “We have a really good connection,” Dippre said. “We work together really well, so I’m excited to see what we can do.”
The tight end room also includes senior Robbie Ouzts, redshirt sophomore Danny Lewis Jr., redshirt freshman Ty Lockwood, and Washington transfer Josh Cuevas. Sheridan praised the group’s development: “Coach Ellis is a great coach. They understand big-picture football and have the size, athleticism, and ball skills needed. Their presence in key situations like short-yardage and goal-line plays is critical, and I’m excited about their progress.”
