TCU’s tight end room is heading into the season with a different feel, and coach Mitch Kirsch thinks that change can turn into an edge right away.
With the opener against North Carolina closing in, Kirsch is working with a group that lost last year’s top producers. DJ Rogers led the position in 2024 with 34 catches for 319 yards and two touchdowns before signing with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. Senior Chase Curtis is gone too after finishing with 13 receptions for 167 yards and two scores.
That leaves TCU without the veteran presence Kirsch was used to leaning on, but he said redshirt juniors Ka’Morreun Pimpton and Lafayette Kaiuway have helped steady the room and bring the younger players along.
“This is the first time since I’ve been coaching tight ends that I haven’t had that really senior guy that’s played a bunch of football,” Kirsch said. “But KP and Lafayette have definitely done a really good job taking these young guys under their wings, kind of showing them the way, and been really proud of those guys for that.”
One of the younger names making noise is junior Kari Ashley, who earned a spot on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” of some of the best athletes in the nation. Ashley came to TCU from Navarro College after beginning his career at Georgia Tech, where he was medically disqualified because of a back injury.
Kirsch sounded especially encouraged by what he has seen from Ashley during camp.
“I can’t say enough about that kid,” Kirsch said. “He’s come a long way.
We still have a ways to go, but … he’s flashed a lot throughout this camp. I think it’s given to him some confidence going into the season, and we’re just really excited about him.”
The way Kirsch sees it, this group’s size and athleticism could give TCU real options, especially if the Frogs lean into multiple-tight-end packages. He believes that setup can create problems for defenses and said the room wants to be known for setting the tone in both the run and pass game.
“I think it’s going to help cause some mismatches for us,” Kirsch said. “Tight ends came out [and] said they want to be tone-setters.
They want to be playmakers. So that’s what they want to do.
They want to set the tone in the run game, and something that we preach is the pass game’s got to be just as violent as the run game. And I think they’re starting to understand that, because at the end of the day, these guys are 6-foot-6, 250, 260 pounds, and run really well.
They shouldn’t be able to be covered by a DB.”
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Kilian Registe is also buying into what that kind of personnel can do for the offense.
“Having extra tight ends in the game and having that extra help is like a safety blanket,” he said. “You can go as hard as you can.
You’re supported outside, inside. Like you almost can do no wrong, and you just fly off the ball and work as hard as you can.”
TCU opens the season against North Carolina at 11 a.m. Aug. 29 in Dublin, Ireland.
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