AUSTIN, Texas — As the Peach Bowl approaches, the rosters of Texas and Arizona State reveal several standout players. Among the highlights is Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, alongside Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron, while Arizona State boasts All-American running back Cam Skattebo.
Another player catching the eye of Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham is Texas senior tight end Gunnar Helm. Helm has emerged as a significant offensive threat this season, showcasing remarkable skills which include an ability to hurdle defenders. With an impressive tally of 55 receptions for 688 yards, Helm now holds the records for tight ends at Texas as the No. 5-seeded Longhorns prepare to face the No. 4-seed Arizona State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Additionally, he has found the end zone six times this season.
Dillingham commented on Helm’s capabilities, stating, “He’s dynamic. He’s not a tight end that clumsily catches it and goes down; he catches it and extends the play, which can be a nightmare for defenses.”
In an era dominated by the transfer portal, Helm represents a unique case of an underrated recruit who demonstrated patience and persistence, ultimately evolving into a first-team all-Southeastern Conference player this year. Reflecting on his unexpected success, Helm noted, “I believe someone predicted I’d have nine receptions this season,” after his standout performance against Clemson where he registered six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Ewers expressed confidence in his chemistry with Helm, saying, “We’ve just got a great connection, and he always seems to be open.” Coming out of Edgewood, Colorado, Helm was rated as a 3-star recruit and was the lowest-ranked player in Texas’s 2021 recruiting class. Originally committed under former coach Tom Herman, he remained loyal to the program even after a coaching transition and a challenging 5-7 campaign.
In that same recruiting class was the high school All-American Ja’Tavion Sanders, who played a crucial role in the team over the past two seasons, setting Texas tight end records with 99 receptions. In contrast, Helm had limited opportunities with just 19 catches during that time.
Helm’s fortunes changed significantly when Sanders entered the NFL Draft after Texas’s playoff appearance last year. His breakout performance occurred during a 31-12 victory over Michigan, where he recorded seven receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. Against Clemson, he executed a remarkable play, catching a touchdown pass in the second quarter while having to leap and maintain his footing in bounds.
Helm’s size, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 250 pounds, combined with his athletic ability and skill as a blocker, positions him as a potential early-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian expressed pride in Helm’s journey through the program, noting, “We all know his development. Ewers can place passes in strategic spots knowing that if Gunnar doesn’t catch it, it could likely be incomplete… There’s a lot of trust built up over their three years together.”
