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Texas facing fierce competition for up-and-coming 2026 tight end recruit

One of the Longhorns' top tight end recruits in the 2026 class has recently begun to pick up steam along the national recruiting trail
ByMatthew Wilson|
Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm (85) shoves Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) and draws a penalty during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm (85) shoves Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) and draws a penalty during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

According to multiple recruiting services, Centennial HS (Corona, CA) 3-star tight end Keawe Browne is the top uncommitted player available at the position. Texas has definitely been the leader, but there's a rumor going around that USC has begun to step up its game for Browne. Additionally, UCLA might be throwing its hat in the ring for the 6'5", 225-pound tight end.

Though the Longhorns are seemingly stacked at the tight end position on paper, Texas might be looking to add at least one in the 2026 class. Browne is an excellent athlete with a long frame who can make plays on both offense and defense at the Power 4 level.

A couple of FBS teams reportedly want him as a defensive end rather than a tight end to take advantage of his overall length and speed.

Despite Browne's defensive ability and high school success, it sounds like the Longhorns want him as a traditional tight end and Jeff Banks, Texas' TE coach, has been his main point of contact throughout his recruitment process.

Browne has excellent ball skills and is very good at the catch point, consistently extending his arms and making catches away from his frame. He's also great at making over-the-shoulder catches on different corner variations and fades.

As you can tell in the video above, Browne is a pretty consistent route-runner as well. It's very impressive how sharp his cuts are, and how sudden his stop/start ability is for being close to 6'6". Usually, taller athletes with longer legs need more of a buildup at the top of their routes, but not Browne. He looks very, very smooth in space.

It's going to be interesting to see how heavily recruited he gets over the course of the 2025 season, and how far he rises up in the 2026 tight end rankings.

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