Redshirt junior Hayden Hansen has led Florida’s tight end room in snaps over the last two seasons, logging the 2nd most snaps among skill position players in 2024. The near 6’8, 271-pound Texas native has been asked to block more than anything else in his career as nearly 70% of his snaps are in pass or run block situations. Despite being on the field often, Hansen has combined for just 27 catches, 357 yards, and three touchdowns in the last two seasons.
In an effort to improve as a pass catcher and route runner, Hansen spent much of his time this offseason working with the wide receivers, picking up on techniques and details that could help him become a more versatile tight end in 2025.
“The point of emphasis for me is always going to be route running, speed out of the stance. I’ve been working with a lot of the wide receivers, the GA’s, the coaches. That’s the last part of my game that I need to solidify and that’s what I’m out to prove this season,” Hansen said on his offseason. “I’ve been getting a lot better, stretching routine. Getting out of breaks a lot better. I’ve already noticed a difference three days into spring ball.”
Ahead of spring camp, Hansen would join quality control wide receivers coach Chad Lucas’ group for extra workouts.
“All great guys. All hungry guys. They all get out there and work. It’s kind of slowed down now that spring ball has started, it’s too much on the body. But before that it was about twice a week, some intense work after workouts. I’ve seen it pay off,” Hansen said on his work with the wide receivers.
One player in particular Hansen has learned from is UCLA WR transfer J.Michael Sturdivant, who is a big-bodied receiver himself standing at 6’3, 216 pounds.
“That guy is definitely an X build. He’s tall. He’s long. How he gets out of his breaks, his steps and stuff, it’s so detailed. Especially digs and stuff, coming out in angles and separating — for me from linebackers, him corners. I’ve taken a lot from him already,” Hansen said on learning from Sturdivant.
Hansen’s position coach, Russ Callaway, was recently promoted to offensive coordinator ahead of Florida’s 2025 season. Hansen credits Callaway for his development since stepping foot on campus in 2022 as a low three-star recruit.
“I owe a lot to Callaway. He got me up to speed extremely fast, Hansen said on Callaway. “He’s a mastermind. The dude knows his stuff straight up. All the drills he’s doing, he’s very detailed. He’s really similar to Napier, so I think it’s a pretty good promotion.”
Hansen is hopeful that is extra work put in will lead to more opportunities out wide as a receiver.
“I’m always asking what I can do to make myself more valuable, more dangerous, not even for now, just at the next level as well. And he’s always done a good job of giving me everything I needed and what I need to work on and things like that. I mean, we saw a glimpse of it last year with me and those deep-seam balls and stuff, so hopefully the more I work, the more I progress, I can get even more of those looks split out wide.”
Despite looking like a 6th offensive lineman, Hansen posted an impressive 8.1 yards after the catch last season, ranking 2nd on the Gators among pass catchers. Hansen only lined up out wide on 5.6% of his snaps, a significantly lower margin than former teammate Arlis Boardingham’s 17.6%.
Regardless of where Hansen lines up, emphasizing speed out of the stance and detailed route running should result in more versatility for the Gators’ offense.