Miami’s Tight End Room Fell Short of ‘Tight End U’ Standards in 2025
For a program that proudly wears the nickname “Tight End U,” the 2025 season was a tough one for Miami’s tight end group. While other position rooms found their rhythm and delivered on expectations, the tight ends struggled to find their footing - and the results were hard to ignore.
Let’s start with the context. The Hurricanes came into the year needing to replace two key veterans: Elijah Arroyo, a second-round NFL Draft pick now preparing to suit up for the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, and Cam McCormick, a seasoned blocker who brought leadership and reliability through 12 starts and three touchdowns during his time in Coral Gables.
That left a significant void - one the coaching staff hoped would be filled by sophomore Elija Lofton. A former four-star recruit out of Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, Lofton had the size, athleticism, and flashes of promise from his freshman year to suggest he could be the next in line in Miami’s rich tight end lineage.
The Hurricanes also brought in senior transfer Alex Bauman from Tulane. Originally recruited as a defensive end, Bauman transitioned to tight end in college and found success in short-yardage and red zone situations, catching seven touchdowns on just 20 receptions last season. His physicality and experience were expected to complement Lofton’s upside.
On paper, the duo looked like a solid one-two punch. But the season didn’t play out that way.
Lofton opened the year with a single 15-yard catch in the season opener against Notre Dame. There was a glimmer of hope after the Florida game, where he hauled in four receptions for 43 yards - a game that included a highlight-reel hurdle - but that would end up being his peak performance of the year. Lofton never quite found his rhythm in the offense, and his season became a mix of occasional flashes and frustrating miscues.
One of those low points came in the SMU game, where a key drop stalled a promising drive. Another came against Louisville, when a game-ending interception thrown by Emory Williams was intended for Lofton - but according to head coach Mario Cristobal, Lofton had run the wrong route.
Meanwhile, Bauman saw the field more often, logging 645 snaps to Lofton’s 451 heading into the national title game. But increased playing time didn’t translate to consistent impact. Bauman’s most memorable moment of the season came for the wrong reasons - a missed block that led to a blocked punt against Indiana, one of the season’s most glaring special teams breakdowns.
Put simply, the tight end room didn’t live up to the standard Miami has set over the years. Whether it was missed assignments, untimely drops, or a lack of production in key moments, the unit struggled to establish itself as a consistent asset in the offense. As a result, the coaching staff named the tight ends the most disappointing position group of the 2025 season.
That said, the story isn’t over. Lofton still has the tools to develop into a reliable playmaker, and with a new wave of talented freshmen entering the fold, there’s a chance this group can bounce back and reclaim its place among the program’s proudest traditions.
But for now, the legacy of “Tight End U” is on pause - waiting for someone in that room to step up and carry the torch.