​After a disappointing offensive season for Nevada football, the program is poised to undergo widespread changes at nearly every position, including how and how often players are used. The tight end room exemplifies this shift. Nevada brings back a group of young, veteran returners who didn’t see much action in 2015 but now have a genuine opportunity to earn significant playing time. Last year, the Wolf Pack featured two higher-end tight ends in Jett Carpenter and Jace Henry, but with their departure, the team is not expected to lean heavily on that position. That doesn’t mean the tight ends will be sidelined, though; rather, they could become one of the most important groups on the roster, offering a versatile blend of blocking and receiving that could play a crucial role in the offense even if the stats aren’t eye-popping.
Benjamin Wheeler enters fall camp with a real opportunity to contribute immediately, even though he hasn’t played a snap for Nevada yet. The junior transferred from Butte College, where he developed into one of Northern California’s better junior college tight ends. At 6-foot-5, Wheeler provides the size and reach the program has been seeking at the position. He adds a physical presence for both the running game and the pass game, giving offensive line coach Cameron Norcross and tight ends coach Jordan Loeffler another option who can contribute in multiple facets. Over his collegiate career at Butte, he logged 12 receptions for 158 yards and five touchdowns as his team went 8-3 last season. With several younger players continuing to develop, Wheeler’s maturity could help him compete for significant reps right away. How he adapts during fall camp will be a compelling storyline to follow.
Kola Babalola is entering his fourth season in the program and stands as one of the most experienced members of Nevada’s tight end group. While his production on offense has been modest to this point and most of his snaps have come on special teams, Babalola has progressed as a blocker and has become a dependable option within the offense. His familiarity with the system provides valuable continuity for Nevada, particularly in multiple-tight-end formations and in short-yardage situations. Veteran leadership is often underestimated at the position, but for Nevada, Babalola offers exactly that—steady presence, reliability, and a solid command of the scheme.
Another intriguing candidate to watch is DJ Asiasi, who could emerge as TE1 in the room. The redshirt freshman appeared in four games during the 2025 season, preserving his redshirt while gaining important experience. He debuted against Middle Tennessee and recorded his first collegiate reception for five yards against San Diego State. While the stat line isn’t flashy, the opportunity to play as a true freshman provided Asiasi with valuable exposure heading into 2026. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 248 pounds, he has the physical tools to contribute as both a blocker and a receiver, and the staff believes his best growth is still ahead of him.
Trace Estes also represents a reason for optimism in the tight end room. Returning for a third season with Nevada, Estes provides additional depth and familiarity within the system, which should help the position group function more smoothly in various packages and alignments. His return adds to the depth chart and gives the coaching staff more flexibility to rotate players without sacrificing blocking or receiving capacity.
Overall, the tight end position presents a blend of experience, upside, and potential versatility that could make it one of the most important units on the roster this season. While it may not always produce jaw-dropping statistics, the tight ends in Nevada’s stable could play a pivotal role in both the running and passing games, helping to anchor an offense looking to maximize its production and adapt to a changing landscape. With Wheeler, Babalola, Asiasi, Estes, and the continued development of younger players, Nevada has the building blocks to create a more dynamic and reliable tight end corps that complements the rest of the offense.