Florida Gators 2025 Position Preview: Tight Ends

by July 17, 2025

written by July 17, 2025

Florida Gators 2025 Position Preview: Tight Ends originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Billy Napier-run Florida Gators have been known for their usage of the tight end position. Whether it is blocking in the running game or being deep threats and checkdown options in the air attack, Florida’s tight ends have been essential since Napier took over as head coach.

This will be especially true in the upcoming season. With a loaded running back room, a slew of young, talented receivers, and a budding star at quarterback, the veteran presence of the Gators’ tight ends will play a big role in Florida’s offense.

After losing their backup in the offseason, the Gators’ tight end group is comprised of a pair of upperclassmen who promise to be big parts of this year’s offense, along with a second-year player with a very high upside.

Nov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators tight end Hayden Hansen (89) gestures towards the crowd after a game against the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images© Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida’s no-question No. 1 tight end for the 2025 season will be redshirt junior Hayden Hansen. He started all 13 games last year for the Gators and has made 22 starts in 25 appearances in his collegiate career.

Hansen has been a threat for the Gators as both a blocker and receiver in his time donning the orange and blue. In 2024, the nearly 6-foot-8 tight end caught 15 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown. He also did not allow a sack in 75 pass blocking snaps.

Behind Hansen, Napier had to find someone to be Florida’s No. 2 on the depth chart. The Gators lost Arlis Boardingham this offseason, who transferred to Bowling Green. Boardingham was impressive the past two years, totaling 44 receptions for 417 yards and six scores.

The tight end who will presumably step into Boardingham’s role will be Tony Livingston. Livingston, who is entering his junior season this fall, registered over 200 snaps last year in 10 games. He tallied 11 catches for just over 100 yards and two touchdowns.

After Hansen and Livingston, Florida will likely turn to Amir Jackson at No. 3 on the depth chart. Jackson is the highest-rated tight end Napier has signed in his tenure at Florida. Out of Portal High School in Georgia, Jackson was ranked as the fifth-best at his position in the country, according to On3. He played in just four games as a freshman in 2024, earning a redshirt.

With the leadership of Hansen and Livingston, and the raw talent of Jackson, the tight end position may turn out to be one of Florida’s deepest groups on the roster in 2025.