We continue our position previews today with a look at Liberty’s tight ends.
Previous:
Quarterbacks
Linebackers
Safeties
Arguably the most experienced and veteran room for the Flames entering the 2025 season is at tight end. The entire position group is in at least their second training camp and entering a second season in the program. Led by Jacob Jenkins, this group should be a position of strength and leadership on the offensive side of the ball. Tight ends coach Cody Ladutko says he needs at least 3-4 guys to be ready to enter the game at any time, and he should have a deep room ready to make an impact both in the run game and pass game.
Tight Ends Coach Cody Ladutko – “Good depth. Feel really strong going in with some guys that have had game reps. Some that haven’t had as many, maybe more on special teams, but will be contributing more in the tight end room. You feel really good about the nucleus in the group that’s out there right now. I could close my eyes, throw somebody out there, and I’m pretty sure they could get the play done correctly.”
Frontrunners
84 Jacob Jenkins R-SR 6’3″ 235
Jenkins is entering his fourth year in the system after spending 2022 at Coastal Carolina under this same coaching staff before transferring to Liberty prior to the 2023 season. He was an all-conference performer with the Chanticleers, something he should be in the mix for this season in CUSA. After sitting out 2023 due to the previous transfer rule, Jenkins played in all 12 games last year, finishing with 10 receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns. As he now steps into an even more prominent role on the offense, expect to see those numbers increase while he also makes an impact as an extra offensive lineman during the run game. Jenkins is currently dealing with an injury suffered recently in camp. He was not practicing Tuesday as his right leg was heavily wrapped.
Tight Ends Coach Cody Ladutko – “Jacob is just a good football player, run game and pass game. He is very intelligent. He sees it like a coach. He knows what’s going on. He’s bringing those young guys (along). He’s hungry in a very selfless way. He wants to be successful. He wants to win. He wants everyone around him to do great. He’s pretty much a coach, to be honest with you at this point.”
83 Austin Henderson R-SR 6’5″ 245
Henderson is entering his fourth year at Liberty after transferring from Minnesota prior to the 2022 season. He has been part of the depth chart at tight end each of the past three seasons, and that should continue this season.
Competition
Behind those two, there are four others in the room that are fighting to be included in the two-deep, and it sounds like tight ends coach Cody Ladutko would be confident in each one of them.
48 Caleb Ryan R-JR 6’2″ 240
Ryan began his career at Liberty as a walk-on, and he ended up seeing his way onto the field late in the year last season due to injuries at the position. Most notably, Ryan played a lot in the second half of the UMass game last year.
85 Connie (Deuce) Hewitt, II R-FR 6’3″ 250
19 Eli Sisson R-FR 6’4″ 235
Hewitt and Sisson were both early enrollees a year ago and then redshirted in 2024. With that extra year under their belt, they are both fighting for playing time in the tight end room this season.
17 Bo Burklow R-SO 6’2″ 250
Burklow graduated from Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee where he was a three-star recruit, finishing his senior year with 25 receptions for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns. He’s looking to work his way up the depth chart this camp.
