The Athletic selects Texas TE Jared Wiley as a player poised for breakout season
When a new coaching staff comes to town, it provides more opportunities for players to prove themselves. Texas tight end Jared Wiley is hoping to do just that in 2021.
Wiley questionably received limited action last season, likely due to Tom Herman’s favoritism towards upperclassman, but he took advantage of every time he touched the field. Wiley has great size and athleticism at 6-foot-7, 255-pounds and has showcased his big-play ability on numerous occasions.
He very well could serve as the big safety blanket for whoever is selected as the starting quarterback and will likely see a much larger quantity of catches and yards in the new offensive system.
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic recently identified 35 players from all over the country that he believes will have a break out season in 2021 and Wiley was included.
Texas coaches are excited about Wiley’s combination of blocking skills, an enormous catch radius and his vertical speed. He caught nine passes in 2020 but that should jump considerably this fall.
Wiley showed more flashes in the passing game when he got the ball in comparison to super senior Cade Brewer, but with Steve Sarkisian’s offense, both tight ends will likely see their numbers inflate.
In comparison with the top two Alabama tight ends Miller Forristall and Jahleel Billingsley who combined for 41 catches last season, the Longhorns tight end duo only combined for 24 catches. Alabama’s tight ends also accounted for 205 more receiving yards than Wiley and Brewer.
Considering Wiley is more explosive and a better pass catcher, Sarkisian’s offensive system will put him in position to showcase that he can be one of the nation’s best players at the tight end position.
