TCU football preview: Could Wiley, tight ends break out in new offense?

4-5 minutes 7/23/2023
Maven - Texas Christian Horned Frogs
For all the great things TCU did offensively last season, it’s fair to say that former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley didn’t rely much on the Horned Frogs’ tight ends.
Based on the glimpses displayed in the spring, that could change under Kendal Briles, who has an intriguing set of tight ends to work with led by Jared Wiley.
With a combination of underneath routes and passing concepts that attacked the middle of the field, there were many spring practices where the tight ends received the bulk of the passes during team scrimmages. Was that a sign of things to come?
Wiley leads a position group that has a few talented underclassmen that could learn under the senior tight end. The Star-Telegram continues its TCU football preview with a closer look at the tight ends.
Tight end breakdown
Players listed on roster: Jared Wiley, Lafayette Kaiuway, Brent Matiscik, Ben Reppenhagen, D’Andre Rogers, Chase Curtis, Curtis Raymond II
Production from 2022: Wiley had 245 yards and four touchdowns. Curtis had one reception for 37 yards.
Projected starter: Jared Wiley
Next up: D’Andre Rogers
Breakdown: The tight end group isn’t the deepest on TCU’s roster, but isn’t lacking for talent starting with Wiley. He was fifth on the team in receptions, yards and tied for third with touchdowns. Wiley made some big-time catches last year and had 74 yards and a touchdown in the comeback win over Kansas State. Some believe Wiley could be the Big 12’s best tight end, but he’ll need to catch up to Texas’ JaTavion Sanders and Kansas State’s Ben Sinnott first.
An increased role in the offense can help with that. At 6-foot-7 Wiley was a matchup nightmare over the middle and in the red zone. He has enough speed to stretch the middle of the field and has the size to pick up yards after the catch on shorter passes.
Rogers played mostly on special teams last season, but showcased his potential throughout the spring including an amazing one-handed catch for a touchdown and during the spring game. Rogers is the deep threat in the room and should have a bigger role as the next man up.
Kaiuway doesn’t look like a freshman. The Arlington native is already 6’6, 250 pounds and has been on campus since the spring. Kaiuway showed his youth at times during the spring, but that can be expected for a teenager that should’ve still been in high school. With a summer of strength and conditioning, Kaiuway should take a step in his physical development.
Matiscik was the team’s long snapper in 2022 and could play the same position this year. Curtis and Raymond were special teams players last season.
Biggest question: Can the tight ends make it through fall camp healthy? The unit is one injury away from being in a dire position.
Storyline to watch at camp: Will the tight ends continue to be a big part of the offense or will Briles lean more on the receivers now that that position is healthier than the spring?
Best-case scenario: Wiley nearly doubles his production as he becomes one of the Big 12’s top red zone targets while contending for an all-conference slot. Rogers flashes his big play potential when he’s allowed to get on the field while Kaiuway receives valuable reps throughout the season.
Worst-case scenario: Whether it be because of an injury to Wiley or a lack of utilization by the quarterback, the tight ends as a collective underwhelm causing TCU’s passing offense to suffer.