As the Gators close in on the start of fall camp, Gator Country breaks down Florida’s tight end room as we approach year four of the Billy Napier era. With added depth from the 2025 class, the Gators have seven tight ends on the roster after losing Gavin Hill and Arlis Boardingham to the portal and Keon Zipperer to graduation.
Hayden Hansen
The clear leader of Florida’s tight end room heading into this season is redshirt junior Hayden Hansen. The Texas native never played a huge role in Florida’s passing offense last season, but when he got the ball Hansen was productive and moved the ball down the field almost every time. After starting in all 13 games last season, Hansen recorded 15 catches for 207 receiving yards and a touchdown. 12 of those receptions last season went for either a first down or a touchdown, while two of those receptions went for over 35 yards. Hansen knew what he had to work on this offseason if he wants to add more production through the air, and it’s showing up on the field so far in 2025.
“The point of emphasis for me is always going to be route running, speed out of the stance,” Hansen said on what he focused on this offseason back. “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. 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.”
The 6’7, 271 pound tight end had a productive spring game with two receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown o just two targets. In his career, Hansen has recorded a 357 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Tony Livingston
In 2024, Tony Livingston had the most productive season of his career as a sophomore recording 109 yards on 11 receptions with two touchdowns that came in back-to-back games to end the season.
“Early on in his career, he was getting in there, then he’d get hurt, then he’d come out. And then he’d get in there, get hurt, come out and he never was consistently out there,” offensive coordinator Russ Callaway said on Livingston. “And then, right about game six of last year, the injuries kind of stopped and then Tony just started taking off. And to be honest with you, he’s only gotten better as well, along with Hayden Hanson too. So, Tony, he’s a guy that he’s kind of toned his body up. He’s put on good weight. He’s always been physical, he’s always been athletic. Big, natural basketball player, great hands. He’s continuing to learn to the playbook and advance himself even more., but him and Hayden Hansen both, knock on wood, have had a great start to the spring.”
If Livingston can stay healthy in 2025, I think we see the junior have his best season yet as a Florida Gator. The opportunity is right there for taking, and the workload for Livingston should increase next season.
Amir Jackson
On paper, Florida’s offense has the potential to be lethal, and redshirt freshman Amir Jackson has a chance to be a part of that in 2025. Jackson stands at 6-5, 229 pounds and is looking to be the next guy for the Gators after sitting back and waiting his turn last season as a true freshman. Due to an unfortunate lingering injury, Jackson was limited in the spring but is on track to be another pass-catching option in Florida’s tight end room when the season comes around.
“He has taken a million strides since we first took him. He’s unbelievable. But on the field, he’s been very much improved in the run game,” offensive coordinator Russ Callaway said on the strides Jackson has made in year two. “He’s always been a really good receiver, but I would say he has taken the most strides in the run game and physicality, putting on weight, route details. So he has taken a million strides forward from what he’s got here, and he still has room to grow. And I think as long as he keeps his head on straight, which I know he will, and he keeps working like he’s working, the best is yet to come.”
As a prospect at Portal High School in Georgia, the former four-star and dual-sport athlete was listed as the No. 87 prospect in the country and No. 7 overall tight end. As a junior, Jackson also made a name for himself on the court and averaged 13.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals with a team that went 28-2 and made it to the Georgia A Division ll third-round playoffs. Jackson is the athlete the Gators have been missing at the tight end position, and his time looks to be arriving soon.
Micah Jones
The first tight end to join Florida’s 2025 class was former three-star Micah Jones out of Madison, Mississippi. Jones committed in June of last year and later signed with the Gators six months later over teams like Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU and Arkansas. The No. 17 prospect in the state of Mississippi has always had Florida at the top and that was evident back in March of last year.
“Coach Callaway, great coach man,” Jones said four months prior to his commitment. “That’s my guy. Our relationship has gotten way stronger over the last couple months, and it’s basically been kind of the same, how he wants me here and how I would be great for Florida, same as Coach Napier.”
The 6-5, 250-pound tight end is on the bigger side but has the athleticism and hands to be a sneaky pass-catching option off the block with the way Florida utilizes tight ends. Jones was listed as the No. 34 tight end and No. 636 overall prospect from the 2025 cycle while totaling 14 offers during his time at Madison Central High School.
Cameron Kossmann
Florida’s final edition at the tight end position from the 2025 cycle is two-star tight end Cameron Kossmann out of Chesterfield, Missouri. The 6-6, 240-pound tight end committed to the Gators on December 23rd of last year after the early signing period. The Missouri native is listed as the No. 48 player in Missouri and No. 174 overall tight end in the 2025 class.
The former Pennsylvania commit did not hold any offers from other Power Four schools but flipped to the Gators after receiving an offer from Coach Billy Napier while visiting Florida after their bowl win over Tulane. Former Gators tight end commit Tae’shaun Gelsey joined the class shortly after Micah Jones but went on to sign with FSU in December, which opened the door for Kossmann late in the 2025 cycle.
Projected Depth Chart:
TE (1): Hayden Hansen, Tony Livingston, Amir Jackson
TE (2): Tony Livingston, Amir Jackson, Caleb Rillos OR Scott Isacks
Other tight ends: Micah Jones, Cameron Kossmann