Jack Endries is suiting up for the Texas Longhorns one more time this season, as the redshirt junior tight end is set to play in the Citrus Bowl against No. 18 Michigan on December 31. It’s a big-stage opportunity for a player whose journey to Texas has already been anything but ordinary-and whose future remains very much in the balance.
Endries, a former walk-on and Cal transfer, walked on Senior Night last month, signaling that a decision on his future is looming. That decision-whether to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft-will come after the bowl game. For now, he’s locked in on helping Texas close out the season strong against a top-20 opponent.
Standing 6’4” and weighing 236 pounds, Endries arrived in Austin back in June as one of the more intriguing names in the NCAA transfer portal. He was brought in to fill the shoes of former Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm, who parlayed a breakout 2025 season into a fourth-round selection by the Tennessee Titans.
Endries came in with plenty of buzz, ranked as the No. 4 tight end in the portal and the No. 131 overall player, per 247Sports. His numbers at Cal backed it up-56 receptions for 623 yards in 2024, leading the Golden Bears in receiving and showing off reliable hands and good yards-after-catch ability.
But the transition to Texas wasn’t seamless. Endries’ production dipped this season, finishing the regular season with 28 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns-both of which came in the opener against San Jose State.
It wasn’t all on him. A first-year starting quarterback in Arch Manning dealt with some accuracy issues, and the offensive line had its share of struggles, particularly in the screen game.
That’s notable because Sarkisian’s system had sold Endries on the idea of being a key piece in that area of the offense. The tight end screen game, a staple in Sark’s playbook, never quite got going, and that limited some of what Endries was expected to bring to the table.
After the opener, things went quiet. Over the next five games, he totaled just six catches for nine yards.
But to his credit, Endries didn’t fade away. He finished the season on an upswing, flashing the kind of playmaking ability that made him a top transfer target in the first place.
Against Arkansas, he hauled in two passes for 49 yards. Against Texas A&M, he posted his best game in burnt orange-four catches for 93 yards, showing off his ability to stretch the field and create mismatches.
Now, the Citrus Bowl offers one more chance to make a statement-both for Texas and for his own draft stock. If Endries does decide to declare, his 2024 tape from Cal may carry more weight than what he put on film this fall in Austin.
That’s part of the equation he’ll have to consider. But from Texas’ perspective, there’s no doubt they’d love to have him back for another season.
The talent is there. The flashes are real.
And with a year of experience in the system and a more settled offense, there’s a case to be made that Endries’ best football in a Longhorns uniform could still be ahead of him.
For now, though, all eyes are on Orlando. One more game.
One more opportunity. And potentially, one more audition before a big decision.