2026 Michigan State Football Positional Preview: Tight Ends
The Michigan State tight ends group enters this year unproven but flashes of potential and players skillsets are something to watch out for
Michigan State lost its two most productive tight ends from a year ago, leaving position coach Brian Wozniak with plenty to replace entering the 2026 season.
Jack Velling, a third-team All-Big Ten selection, departed after exhausting his eligibility, while Michael Masunas transferred to Texas. Their departures leave behind a tight end room short on proven FBS production but filled with players who have shown intriguing ability at other levels.
The question now is which of them can turn that potential into production for the Spartans.
Michigan State tight ends coach Brian Wozniak looks on during football practice on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in East Lansing. (Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Position Coach: Brian Wozniak
Wozniak enters his third season at Michigan State after being retained from Jonathan Smith's coaching staff. He oversees one of the Spartans' least experienced position groups, with four newcomers joining the room – three true freshmen and one transfer.
That transfer, however, arrives with one of the more unusual résumés on Michigan State's roster.
Carson Gulker, pictured playing for Ferris State in its loss to Grand Valley State in the Anchor Bone Rivalry game, Oct. 15, 2022. (Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
No. 12 Carson Gulker (Sixth Year Senior)
Gulker may be the most intriguing player in Michigan State's tight end room.
The Ferris State transfer is a four-time Division II national champion who began his college career at quarterback. As a redshirt freshman, Gulker earned GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors and set an NCAA Division II record with 31 rushing touchdowns.
After two productive seasons at quarterback, Gulker suffered a broken leg in the second game of the 2024 season and missed the remainder of the year.
When he returned in 2025, his role changed dramatically.
Ferris State moved Gulker almost completely away from quarterback and used him as a hybrid tight end, H-back, and running back. He responded by finishing third on the team with 1,089 all-purpose yards and fourth with 12 touchdowns.
That versatility is what makes Gulker such an interesting addition for Michigan State. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he offers the Spartans numerous possibilities, whether he is lined up as a traditional tight end, in the backfield, or elsewhere in the formation.
Throughout his career, Gulker has been at his best with the ball in his hands, particularly when his team needs tough yards. He has produced everywhere Ferris State has put him.
Now comes a considerably different test: Can those skills translate to Power Four football?
Michigan State tight end Jayden Savoury catches a pass during football practice on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in East Lansing. (Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
No. 31 Jayden Savoury (Redshirt Freshman)
Savoury enters the season as one of the young players with an opportunity to make a significant jump. He has received praise throughout preseason camp and is looking to break out in 2026.
He has only one reception in his Michigan State career, but his 6-foot-5, 253-pound frame gives the Spartans an intriguing potential target in the passing game.
Savoury was one of Michigan's top prospects coming out of high school, rated as the state's No. 1 tight end and among its top 15 overall players by multiple recruiting services.
With Velling and Masunas gone, Savoury now has an opportunity to turn that recruiting promise into a larger role.
Michigan State's Brennan Parachek runs after a catch against Prairie View A&M during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. (Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
No. 82 Brennan Parachek (Redshirt Junior)
Parachek is the longest-tenured member of Michigan State's tight end room, entering his fourth season in the program.
He redshirted last season after appearing in 12 games and making three starts in 2024. Over his Michigan State career, Parachek has recorded 14 receptions for 118 yards.
That may not represent extensive production, but it gives Parachek more familiarity with Big Ten football than most of the players competing for snaps around him.
With significant playing time available, that experience could help Parachek play a much larger role in 2026. Expect Parachek to see a lot of snaps this season, and it wouldn't be surprising if he is the first tight end to trot out with MSU's offense in the season opener versus Toledo on Sept. 4.
Michigan State's Jordan Hall, right, stops Kai Rios after a catch during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. (Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
No. 88 Kai Rios (Redshirt Senior)
Rios enters his second season at Michigan State after transferring from Indiana State.
His lone reception as a Spartan went for one yard and a touchdown. Before arriving in East Lansing, Rios caught eight passes for 69 yards over three seasons with the Sycamores.
Rios provides another experienced option in a room searching for dependable contributors. With so many targets and snaps available following the offseason departures, he should have an opportunity to compete for a place in the rotation. At 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds, Rios has a big frame and can help the Spartans in the running game with his blocking as well.
(Photo courtesy MSU Athletics.)
No. 84 Eddie Whiting (True Freshman)
Whiting enrolled early after arriving from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he was regarded as one of the state's top players in the 2026 recruiting class.
A two-time all-state selection, Whiting finished his senior season with 27 receptions for 310 yards and five touchdowns.
The most likely path initially is for Whiting to provide depth while continuing his development, but the uncertainty throughout the position group could give him an opportunity to earn a role as the season progresses.
Michigan State’s Charlie Baker catches a pass during football practice on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in East Lansing. (Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
No. 48 Charlie Baker (Redshirt Sophomore)
Baker has yet to appear in a game for Michigan State, but he was a highly productive player just a few miles from Spartan Stadium at East Lansing High School.
The 6-foot-4, 252-pound tight end earned all-state honors as a senior in 2023 after catching 55 passes for 916 yards and helping the Trojans reach the Division 2 semifinals.
Baker has spent two seasons developing within Michigan State's program. With the depth chart more open than it has been during his time in East Lansing, this could be his best opportunity yet to push for playing time.
(Photo courtesy of MSU Athletics.)
No. 87 Joe Caudill (True Freshman)
Caudill was another early enrollee for Michigan State and was ranked No. 472 nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the 2026 recruiting class.
The Lexington, Ohio, native arrives at tight end after starring at quarterback in high school. Caudill earned Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior after throwing for 1,730 yards and 25 touchdowns.
His background makes him another developmental player with an unusual skill set as he transitions to a new position at the college level.
(Photo courtesy of MSU Athletics.)
No. 86 Ethan Melville (True Freshman)
Melville was a late addition to Michigan State's 2026 recruiting class as a preferred walk-on.
He initially committed to Calvin University before changing course when Michigan State offered him an opportunity to join the program.
Melville enters a crowded competition filled with similarly unproven players and will begin his career working to establish himself within the room.
Collectively, Michigan State's returning tight ends enter the season with only 16 career receptions at the FBS level.
That lack of proven production creates uncertainty, but it also creates opportunity.
Nearly everyone in the room has demonstrated the ability to produce somewhere – whether in the Big Ten, at the FCS or Division II level, or in high school. Michigan State now has to determine which of those skills will translate when the competition begins.
There is no obvious replacement for Velling or Masunas entering the season. Instead, the Spartans may have to build the position through a combination of Gulker's versatility, Parachek's experience, the potential of Savoury, and whatever emerges from the rest of the group.
For Wozniak and the Spartans, figuring out that combination will be one of the offense's more important early-season evaluations.
