Everyone keeps asking the same question: Who’s going to be the breakout tight end in Dan Mullen’s offense?
That’s the wrong question.
Because this isn’t about one guy, it’s about the room. And quietly, that room might be the most complete, most balanced, and most important group on the entire roster.
Mullen has always leaned on tight ends. Not just as blockers, but as processors. Guys who can read, leverage, protect the edge, and slip out when it matters. He doesn’t need a future All-American; he needs five guys who can do five different jobs. And that’s exactly what this room gives him.
The Proven Piece: Var’Keyes Gumms
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Gumms is the name you already know. He blew up at North Texas in 2022 with 458 yards, five scores, and some of the best tight end PFF grades in the country, hands, blocking, and route efficiency elite across the board.
Arkansas barely used him. That’s their problem.
If UNLV gets even 75% of the 2022 version, Gumms is the most dynamic tight end in the Mountain West. No question. He’s not a stretch-the-field guy; he’s a create-a-problem-in-space guy. This offense knows how to do that.
The Enforcer: Jae Beasley II
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No one talks about Beasley. That’s a mistake.
He didn’t catch a single pass last year. Doesn’t matter. He posted an 87.1% block rate and a 75.0 pass-block grade. That’s elite. That’s trench work. That’s the kind of film that earns you respect in a locker room and snaps on Saturdays.
Mullen doesn’t need Beasley to be a weapon. He just needs him to keep the offense on schedule. He’s already doing that better than anyone else on the roster.
The Veteran: Nick Elksnis
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Another SEC transfer, another guy with limited numbers but real tape.
Elksnis played at Florida and South Carolina. He’s 6’6”, 250, and held up blocking in the toughest league in college football. His pass-block grade at South Carolina last year? 78.9.
He's not a stat-chaser. He’s not here to chase clout. He’s here to do the dirty work. If you need a second tight end in 12 personnel or a max-protect setup? Elksnis is that dude.
The Underrated Add: Matt Byrnes
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Low-key, one of the most efficient additions on the roster.
Byrnes caught 6 of 7 targets last season at Houston. High catch rate, low drop rate, and quietly posted a solid 66.7 ball security grade. He’s a move-the-sticks type. A guy who finds the soft spot, gets north, and blocks just enough to stay on the field.
Don’t be shocked if he ends up in the top three in TE snaps.
The Wildcards: Jefferson and Beza
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Velltray Jefferson is built like an NFL tight end. 6’5”, 250. JUCO product. No D1 tape yet, but physically he’s already where he needs to be. If he learns the system, he’ll get reps. If he doesn’t, he’s still a future name to watch.
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Jacob Beza is the youngest guy in the room, a true freshman from Henderson. No reps yet, but he’s in a good spot. If he sticks around, he’ll develop.
Bottom Line
This isn’t a room with one star and a bunch of backups. It’s a group that can be deployed like a toolkit. Gumms gives you mismatches. Beasley sets the tone. Elksnis protects the QB. Byrnes moves chains. Jefferson and Beza are the future.
It’s not flashy. It’s functional. And in this scheme, that’s more valuable than hype.
UNLV didn’t just rebuild the tight end room; they built it for smash mouth football.
They built it for November.