Kansas football fall camp position analysis: Tight ends feature experience in 2023

Topeka Capital-Journal
LAWRENCE — There’s a lot to like about what Kansas football’s tight ends can offer the Jayhawks’ offense in 2023.
Significant production returns from last year’s bowl team, including senior Mason Fairchild and junior Jared Casey. Potential exists elsewhere as well, from guys like junior Trevor Kardell and freshman Jaden Hamm. It’s just a matter of the extent to which the group can realize its potential, as players and coaches preach the need to not be complacent.
Here are five thoughts about Kansas’ tight ends as fall camp continues:
It starts with Mason Fairchild
Fairchild represents Kansas on the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, which is given to the top tight end in college football. He was an All-Big 12 Conference second-team selection in 2022, as voted by the league’s head coaches, and could be All-Big 12 again in 2023. Last season he finished with 35 catches for 443 yards and six touchdowns.
This fall, Fairchild is looking to be able to contribute more to the offense.
“Make us more versatile,” Fairchild said. “Make us more explosive. So, trying to figure out what I need to do and trying to pick coach (Andy Kotelnicki)’s ear and trying to install more tight end stuff. So, that’s always the goal, right?”
Certain guys have certain strengths
Andy Kotelnicki, Kansas’ associate head coach/offensive coordinator, works with the tight ends. He said Fairchild, Casey and Kardell can all catch the ball well in the passing game. But while there’s trust in all of them, certain guys do have certain strengths in Kotelnicki’s mind.
Fairchild has the size and strength that make him really good in the box. Casey is an athlete who can be used in a number of ways. Kardell has the length and speed to make him a threat on the perimeter.
“You kind of take those puzzle pieces and move them around to put guys in position to be successful,” Kotelnicki said.
There’s confidence in their versatility within the offense
Casey described the group as one of the unique positions. Fairchild said they can be the most versatile position on the offensive side of the ball. And that comes from how much they’re asked to do offensively for Kansas.
“We run,” Casey said. “We block. We catch the ball. I mean, we’re everything. Coach (Kotelnicki) tells us we’ve got to know just as much as the quarterback, so he puts us in positions to do that and we’ve got to go out and execute.”
This could be a breakout season for Trevor Kardell
Fairchild and Casey aren’t the only two names to know among the tight ends. Kardell is among those who are poised to carve out more of a role this season. Last season, Kardell finished with five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Fairchild said Kardell’s always had the talent, but has started to develop a better understanding of the playbook and handle some more difficult assignments.
Jaden Hamm continues to progress
Hamm enrolled early and was with Kansas for spring ball. Kotelnicki said Hamm’s had both a good spring and summer. And he’s someone who, because of his experience, can help his fellow freshmen acclimate to the college level.
“For myself, when I first came here, it was hard to build those relationships with everybody else — especially, like, I was just kind of a shy guy,” Casey said. “And he just kind of came in right away and just expressed himself. And we just kind of accepted him.”
Casey continued: “Obviously we’re going to accept him. He’s in our room. But he just fit in right away.”