University of North Texas Athletics
Photo by: Manny Flores
Position Group Breakdowns: Tight Ends
4/20/2020 1:00:00 PM | Football
DENTON – The Mean Green tight ends group figures to again be a big part of the offense in 2020. Under tight ends coach Adrian Mayes, fans will have the opportunity to see the continued development at the position when the season gets underway. We take a look at the tight ends room in this edition of position group breakdowns.
"I am extremely excited about this youthful and talented group," Mayes said. "Jason Pirtle saw a large amount of time last season and really started to develop into the position midway through the season. I'm excited about his progress this offseason in the film room and excited for the product he will put out next fall. Guys like Kyleb Howell and Cole McCrary were guys that provided depth last season and have game experience, which is so valuable. The two upperclassmen have done a great job instilling what we preach in our program to the younger guys in the room and it has gone well.
"I am looking forward to the challenge of getting the youth in the room up to speed and ready to play at a high level. Guys like Asher Alberding, Khatib Lyles, Christian Lee, Jake Roberts (who is coming in the fall) and Edward Bautista all are extremely athletic. How fast I can get these guys developed will be key for this group.
"This unit is extremely competitive, hungry and excited to get back into the swing of things. They understand that there's competition within the room and I think they rise to the challenge every time they're number is called."
Outgoing:
The lone tight end on the roster to graduate from the 2019 is Kelvin Smith, who was a key fixture over the past four years at the position. In addition to Smith's departure, freshman Adam Duncan decided to transfer.
Smith was banged up for the duration of his final season in Denton, and finished with just 14 catches for 93 yards last year in 11 appearances (seven starts).
Throughout his career with the Mean Green, Smith was a versatile player at the position, providing a ton of unsung help as a blocker, but also finished his career with 77 catches for 705 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 15.0 yards per reception in 47 appearances (27 starts).
Duncan did not appear in any games for the Mean Green after walking on ahead of the 2019 season.
New Faces:
There are two new faces with the program at tight end, including one who arrived on campus in January and another that will join the program in the fall.
#84 Christian Lee – freshman –Friendswood, Texas (Friendswood HS)
Lee was an early enrollee, and was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He was ranked as the No. 36 tight end in the country at the H position by ESPN and was No. 75 on Vype Houston's Hot 100 in the 2020 class. Lee was a first team all-district selection in 2019 after earning second team honors as a junior in 2018. As a senior last year at Friendswood High School, Lee caught 51 passes for 723 yards and five touchdowns, and scored twice more on the ground. As a junior, he made 37 catches and five scores. A stellar athlete that measures at 6'3" and 210 pounds, Lee played quarterback as a sophomore and also lettered in track and field.
"The opportunities are endless for this team. The little time I've been there, I've seen some great players and great leaders and I'm excited for what's in store for this team. Coach Mayes is my dude. I've known him ever since I went to a Texas State camp as a quarterback and him telling me to eat and become a tight end. He is a great coach and is a great motivator. I'm excited to be able to learn under him. The tight ends room is a close group of guys and in the first couple of months I've been there, I've learned that if you mess with one, you mess with all of them. I think our tight ends are very different strength-wise, and think that will be an amazing opportunity for what the season has in store."
Jake Roberts – freshman – Norman, Oklahoma (Norman North HS)
Roberts will join the Mean Green in the fall, and was also a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He was ranked as the No. 20 player in the state of Oklahoma by 247Sports and the No. 36 tight end in the country at the Y position by ESPN. Roberts was a two-time district Offensive Player of the Year, was first team all-conference and all-district as a senior in 2019 and was named Norman North High School's Most Outstanding Student-Athlete. In 2019, Roberts caught 18 passes for 197 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Roberts, who measures at 6'4" and 235 pounds, also excels in the classroom as evidenced by being a member of the National Honor Society.
"I feel like we have a great opportunity ahead of us this year and I can't wait to be a part of this team. Things are crazy right now, but I think that presents a perfect opportunity to better ourselves and gain an advantage with the work we put in during all of this. Coach Mayes has been great. I feel like I've learned a ton from him already [through the recruiting process].All the guys in the tight ends room seem really close and there are some great leaders. They have been really helpful to me throughout this process and I can't wait to get on campus and be a part of it."
Returners:
#88 Jason Pirtle – redshirt senior – Locust Grove, Oklahoma (Locust Grove HS)
Pirtle burst onto the scene in a big way in 2019 for the Mean Green. In his first start of the season, the Locust Grove, Oklahoma, native hauled was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week after catching four passes for 88 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Abilene Christian. He earned all-conference honorable mention honors as a redshirt junior, catching 17 passes for 263 yards and five touchdowns, starting eight of his 12 appearances. Pirtle transitioned to tight end from receiver ahead of 2019 and has made 29 career appearances and 10 starts.
"With this group, on paper, half the room came in as a walk-on and a few of us from other positions even, but I love the attitude everyone brings. We each have things we excel at, which gives our room a lot of versatility. We definitely enjoy ourselves and keep the mood pretty light, and I think that helps us grow closer as well as enjoy going out to practice. That's a credit to Coach Mayes, letting us be who we are, but able to really teach us as well.
"I considered myself a smart football player, but when I got into the tight end room only a year ago, I knew nothing more than basic schemes, but by mid-season, last year, I felt like I got a deep grasp on why we do things, as well as learning defenses and how to attach by using their scheme against them.
"I think we can do big things and continue to be very versatile in this room next year. I couldn't be more excited."
#86 Cole McCrary – redshirt sophomore – Dallas, Texas (Woodrow Wilson HS)
McCrary made the first six appearances of his career in 2019, and had one catch for 41 yards. McCrary has come a long way in his two-plus seasons on campus and has the opportunity to really provide a lot of depth and earn more time on the field. In high school, McCrary was a three-time all-district selection and team captain at Woodrow Wilson High School. McCrary provides a good frame at the position, measuring at 6'2" and 230 pounds.
"I couldn't be any more excited and thankful for the position I'm in to contribute to this team. I've been fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to work with good coaches and teammates. God has blessed my life by putting great people in it, like Coach Mayes, who has been an absolute blessing for me as a coach and mentor in my life, developing me on and off the field. He really knows this game and I love learning from him.
"This tight end group is exciting. We are packed with talent, we are hungry and want to be great. We all help each other out and all want to help this team win games. One of the goals we have is that we want to be a top-10 tight end group in the nation and that's how we work day in and day out. I'm pumped to see what we can do."
#89 Asher Alberding – redshirt freshman – Houston, Texas (Clear Lake HS)
Alberding redshirted during his first season on campus after making just one appearance in 2019. Originally rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals, and was ranked the No. 25 tight end in the country by ESPN. As a senior at Clear Lake High School, he played on both sides of the ball. He caught three passes for 80 yards and a touchdown and recorded 42 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries. A terrific athlete at 6'4" and 233 pounds, Alberding also was lettered in track and field, competing in the 200, 400 and discus.
"There is an incredible opportunity for the entire team next year. Our room is completely bought into what Coach Mayes teaches us and it has shown with how well upperclassmen like [Jason] Pirtle and [Kyleb] Howell take younger guys in and teach the younger guys about the standards of our room and the playbook. I was very thankful for Kelvo [Kelvin Smith] last year and I learned a lot from him on and off the field. We have a tough, hard-nosed group and I can't wait to take advantage of the opportunity to bounce back from last year and win a championship."
#34 Kyleb Howell – redshirt senior – Lantana, Texas (Harding)
Howell is the team's fullback and h-back and made 12 appearances with a pair of starts. He caught the first pass of his career, for 12 yards, in his season debut. Howell does a lot of the dirty work and provides a nice option in the passing game if need be, with good hands. Howell also provides a lot of leadership to this group as one of the two fifth-year seniors.
"We've got a very tight-knit group for sure. The younger guys are learning more and more about the culture we have here and the importance of holding everyone accountable to that standard. They are learning what it takes to be a successful Division I athlete. Our group is very dynamic, which allows us to do a lot of different things on the field. Coach Mayes has done a fantastic job of assessing our abilities and helping us maximize our strengths.
"We have an awesome opportunity in front of us to compete with each other on a day-to-day basis on the practice field in the film room. Competition within position groups breeds success because guys have to constantly get better at what they do, or they will get left behind."
#80 Khatib Lyles – redshirt freshman – El Paso, Texas (Parkland HS)
Lyles redshirted the 2019 season, his first in Denton. An intriguing option following his move from receiver to tight end, Lyles provides a lot of size and athleticism, measuring at 6'2" and 220 pounds. Lyles was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN. The El Paso native held offers at one time from Texas Tech, Utah, Indiana, Kansas, Air Force, New Mexico, Southern Miss, UTEP, Liberty and Louisiana-Monroe at the FBS level.
#40 Edward Bautista – redshirt freshman – Wichita Falls, Texas (All Saints Episcopal)
Bautista joined the program ahead of the 2019 season, and though he did not make an appearance during his first season on campus, he provided depth and helped with the scout team throughout the season. At 6'0" and 224 pounds, Bautista is another athletic option at the position, with good hands. Bautista was originally a two-star prospect according to 247Sports and chose North Texas over an offer from Navy.
"Coach Mayes is a great coach and an even better leader. He gives us all opportunities to showcase our talents. Each individual in our tight end room brings something different to the table. Everyone is so versatile and gives our offense more keys to be explosive."
"I am extremely excited about this youthful and talented group," Mayes said. "Jason Pirtle saw a large amount of time last season and really started to develop into the position midway through the season. I'm excited about his progress this offseason in the film room and excited for the product he will put out next fall. Guys like Kyleb Howell and Cole McCrary were guys that provided depth last season and have game experience, which is so valuable. The two upperclassmen have done a great job instilling what we preach in our program to the younger guys in the room and it has gone well.
"I am looking forward to the challenge of getting the youth in the room up to speed and ready to play at a high level. Guys like Asher Alberding, Khatib Lyles, Christian Lee, Jake Roberts (who is coming in the fall) and Edward Bautista all are extremely athletic. How fast I can get these guys developed will be key for this group.
"This unit is extremely competitive, hungry and excited to get back into the swing of things. They understand that there's competition within the room and I think they rise to the challenge every time they're number is called."
Outgoing:
The lone tight end on the roster to graduate from the 2019 is Kelvin Smith, who was a key fixture over the past four years at the position. In addition to Smith's departure, freshman Adam Duncan decided to transfer.
Smith was banged up for the duration of his final season in Denton, and finished with just 14 catches for 93 yards last year in 11 appearances (seven starts).
Throughout his career with the Mean Green, Smith was a versatile player at the position, providing a ton of unsung help as a blocker, but also finished his career with 77 catches for 705 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 15.0 yards per reception in 47 appearances (27 starts).
Duncan did not appear in any games for the Mean Green after walking on ahead of the 2019 season.
New Faces:
There are two new faces with the program at tight end, including one who arrived on campus in January and another that will join the program in the fall.
#84 Christian Lee – freshman –Friendswood, Texas (Friendswood HS)
Lee was an early enrollee, and was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He was ranked as the No. 36 tight end in the country at the H position by ESPN and was No. 75 on Vype Houston's Hot 100 in the 2020 class. Lee was a first team all-district selection in 2019 after earning second team honors as a junior in 2018. As a senior last year at Friendswood High School, Lee caught 51 passes for 723 yards and five touchdowns, and scored twice more on the ground. As a junior, he made 37 catches and five scores. A stellar athlete that measures at 6'3" and 210 pounds, Lee played quarterback as a sophomore and also lettered in track and field.
"The opportunities are endless for this team. The little time I've been there, I've seen some great players and great leaders and I'm excited for what's in store for this team. Coach Mayes is my dude. I've known him ever since I went to a Texas State camp as a quarterback and him telling me to eat and become a tight end. He is a great coach and is a great motivator. I'm excited to be able to learn under him. The tight ends room is a close group of guys and in the first couple of months I've been there, I've learned that if you mess with one, you mess with all of them. I think our tight ends are very different strength-wise, and think that will be an amazing opportunity for what the season has in store."
Jake Roberts – freshman – Norman, Oklahoma (Norman North HS)
Roberts will join the Mean Green in the fall, and was also a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He was ranked as the No. 20 player in the state of Oklahoma by 247Sports and the No. 36 tight end in the country at the Y position by ESPN. Roberts was a two-time district Offensive Player of the Year, was first team all-conference and all-district as a senior in 2019 and was named Norman North High School's Most Outstanding Student-Athlete. In 2019, Roberts caught 18 passes for 197 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Roberts, who measures at 6'4" and 235 pounds, also excels in the classroom as evidenced by being a member of the National Honor Society.
"I feel like we have a great opportunity ahead of us this year and I can't wait to be a part of this team. Things are crazy right now, but I think that presents a perfect opportunity to better ourselves and gain an advantage with the work we put in during all of this. Coach Mayes has been great. I feel like I've learned a ton from him already [through the recruiting process].All the guys in the tight ends room seem really close and there are some great leaders. They have been really helpful to me throughout this process and I can't wait to get on campus and be a part of it."
Returners:
#88 Jason Pirtle – redshirt senior – Locust Grove, Oklahoma (Locust Grove HS)
Pirtle burst onto the scene in a big way in 2019 for the Mean Green. In his first start of the season, the Locust Grove, Oklahoma, native hauled was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week after catching four passes for 88 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Abilene Christian. He earned all-conference honorable mention honors as a redshirt junior, catching 17 passes for 263 yards and five touchdowns, starting eight of his 12 appearances. Pirtle transitioned to tight end from receiver ahead of 2019 and has made 29 career appearances and 10 starts.
"With this group, on paper, half the room came in as a walk-on and a few of us from other positions even, but I love the attitude everyone brings. We each have things we excel at, which gives our room a lot of versatility. We definitely enjoy ourselves and keep the mood pretty light, and I think that helps us grow closer as well as enjoy going out to practice. That's a credit to Coach Mayes, letting us be who we are, but able to really teach us as well.
"I considered myself a smart football player, but when I got into the tight end room only a year ago, I knew nothing more than basic schemes, but by mid-season, last year, I felt like I got a deep grasp on why we do things, as well as learning defenses and how to attach by using their scheme against them.
"I think we can do big things and continue to be very versatile in this room next year. I couldn't be more excited."
#86 Cole McCrary – redshirt sophomore – Dallas, Texas (Woodrow Wilson HS)
McCrary made the first six appearances of his career in 2019, and had one catch for 41 yards. McCrary has come a long way in his two-plus seasons on campus and has the opportunity to really provide a lot of depth and earn more time on the field. In high school, McCrary was a three-time all-district selection and team captain at Woodrow Wilson High School. McCrary provides a good frame at the position, measuring at 6'2" and 230 pounds.
"I couldn't be any more excited and thankful for the position I'm in to contribute to this team. I've been fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to work with good coaches and teammates. God has blessed my life by putting great people in it, like Coach Mayes, who has been an absolute blessing for me as a coach and mentor in my life, developing me on and off the field. He really knows this game and I love learning from him.
"This tight end group is exciting. We are packed with talent, we are hungry and want to be great. We all help each other out and all want to help this team win games. One of the goals we have is that we want to be a top-10 tight end group in the nation and that's how we work day in and day out. I'm pumped to see what we can do."
#89 Asher Alberding – redshirt freshman – Houston, Texas (Clear Lake HS)
Alberding redshirted during his first season on campus after making just one appearance in 2019. Originally rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals, and was ranked the No. 25 tight end in the country by ESPN. As a senior at Clear Lake High School, he played on both sides of the ball. He caught three passes for 80 yards and a touchdown and recorded 42 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries. A terrific athlete at 6'4" and 233 pounds, Alberding also was lettered in track and field, competing in the 200, 400 and discus.
"There is an incredible opportunity for the entire team next year. Our room is completely bought into what Coach Mayes teaches us and it has shown with how well upperclassmen like [Jason] Pirtle and [Kyleb] Howell take younger guys in and teach the younger guys about the standards of our room and the playbook. I was very thankful for Kelvo [Kelvin Smith] last year and I learned a lot from him on and off the field. We have a tough, hard-nosed group and I can't wait to take advantage of the opportunity to bounce back from last year and win a championship."
#34 Kyleb Howell – redshirt senior – Lantana, Texas (Harding)
Howell is the team's fullback and h-back and made 12 appearances with a pair of starts. He caught the first pass of his career, for 12 yards, in his season debut. Howell does a lot of the dirty work and provides a nice option in the passing game if need be, with good hands. Howell also provides a lot of leadership to this group as one of the two fifth-year seniors.
"We've got a very tight-knit group for sure. The younger guys are learning more and more about the culture we have here and the importance of holding everyone accountable to that standard. They are learning what it takes to be a successful Division I athlete. Our group is very dynamic, which allows us to do a lot of different things on the field. Coach Mayes has done a fantastic job of assessing our abilities and helping us maximize our strengths.
"We have an awesome opportunity in front of us to compete with each other on a day-to-day basis on the practice field in the film room. Competition within position groups breeds success because guys have to constantly get better at what they do, or they will get left behind."
#80 Khatib Lyles – redshirt freshman – El Paso, Texas (Parkland HS)
Lyles redshirted the 2019 season, his first in Denton. An intriguing option following his move from receiver to tight end, Lyles provides a lot of size and athleticism, measuring at 6'2" and 220 pounds. Lyles was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN. The El Paso native held offers at one time from Texas Tech, Utah, Indiana, Kansas, Air Force, New Mexico, Southern Miss, UTEP, Liberty and Louisiana-Monroe at the FBS level.
#40 Edward Bautista – redshirt freshman – Wichita Falls, Texas (All Saints Episcopal)
Bautista joined the program ahead of the 2019 season, and though he did not make an appearance during his first season on campus, he provided depth and helped with the scout team throughout the season. At 6'0" and 224 pounds, Bautista is another athletic option at the position, with good hands. Bautista was originally a two-star prospect according to 247Sports and chose North Texas over an offer from Navy.
"Coach Mayes is a great coach and an even better leader. He gives us all opportunities to showcase our talents. Each individual in our tight end room brings something different to the table. Everyone is so versatile and gives our offense more keys to be explosive."
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