Florida football is right around the corner, with fall camp set to begin on Aug. 5. Gator Country’s roster preview series continues with a look at the tight end room. If you missed it, be sure to check out our wide receiver position preview.
The Gators’ tight end room underwent a nearly complete overhaul this offseason, with just two players returning from the 2025 roster. Florida added three tight ends through the transfer portal and signed two more from the high school ranks.
R-So. Luke Harpring
Georgia Tech transfer Luke Harpring is expected to be one of Florida’s top options at tight end due to his well-rounded skill set and familiarity with Buster Faulkner’s offense. As a redshirt freshman in 2025, Harpring caught 13 passes for 158 yards while playing just 239 snaps, producing efficiently despite limited playing time.
At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Harpring averaged 7.9 yards after the catch last season. While he isn’t an elite athlete, he moves well in space and has enough speed to threaten defenses down the seam.
R-So. Amir Jackson
Amir Jackson originally entered the transfer portal this offseason but ultimately returned to Gainesville for his third season after becoming a priority for tight ends coach Evan McKissack.
After playing in four games and redshirting in 2024, Jackson caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown while playing 139 snaps last season. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end struggled to find consistent playing time in Billy Napier’s offense, but that could change under a new coaching staff and scheme.
Jackson is Florida’s biggest threat in the passing game at tight end because of his speed and length, though he still has room to develop as a run blocker.
R-Jr. Lacota Dippre
Lacota Dippre transferred to Florida from James Madison, where he earned Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt honors after hauling in 17 receptions for 192 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.
Known for his physical style of play, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound tight end posted a 71.3 run-blocking grade, which ranked 25th among all FBS tight ends last season. Dippre was an integral part of James Madison’s No. 6-ranked rushing offense.
R-Jr. Evan Chieca
Florida’s third transfer portal addition at tight end was New Haven’s Evan Chieca. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end earned All-NEC honors in 2025 after recording 31 receptions for 255 yards and four touchdowns. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Chieca caught 12 passes for 79 yards and one touchdown, earning All-NEC Rookie Team honors.
Chieca plays with a high motor and has the versatility to line up at multiple spots within Florida’s offense. Sumrall compared that versatility to Luke Harpring’s. Tight ends coach Evan McKissack has also emphasized improving Chieca’s blocking technique.
R-Fr. Micah Jones
Micah Jones is back for his second season at Florida after appearing in one game and redshirting in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound tight end was a consensus three-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN, On3 and Rivals. He was ranked as the No. 23 tight end in the country by ESPN and the No. 14 player in Mississippi by On3 and Rivals in the 2025 recruiting class.
Fr. Heze Kent
At 6-foot-6, 313 pounds, Heze Kent is one of the more intriguing tight ends I’ve covered at Florida. Despite his size, he’s one of the most naturally gifted tight ends on the roster. Kent moves exceptionally well for a player his size and is a fluid athlete with reliable hands.
The biggest question is his weight. If Kent can slim down over the summer, he’ll give himself a chance to compete for playing time this fall. How much weight he loses could go a long way in determining whether he’s ready to contribute early.
Across his high school career, Kent totaled 95 receptions for 2,051 yards and 21 touchdowns while adding 694 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 100 carries. He also played basketball throughout high school.
Fr. Tripp Brown Jr.
A late addition to Florida’s 2026 recruiting class, Tripp Brown Jr. joined the program as a preferred walk-on. He held offers from Toledo, Bowling Green, Kent State and Eastern Michigan.
At Plant High School in Tampa, Brown Jr. caught 57 passes for 699 yards and six touchdowns over three seasons. He also spent time at quarterback.
Final thoughts
Florida’s tight end room won’t be considered a strength of the team, and it remains to be seen how much Buster Faulkner plans to utilize the position in 2026. The Gators have options, but it’s unclear how the group will fit together given each player’s different skill sets and limitations.
For now, it appears Luke Harpring and Amir Jackson are the team’s best options in the passing game, while Lacota Dippre appears better suited for the run game and 12 personnel packages.