The Miami University RedHawks enter the 2026 season with one of the youngest tight end rooms in the Mid-American Conference, but don’t mistake youth for a lack of talent. Head coach Chuck Martin has assembled a group filled with athletic prospects, transfer experience, and developmental upside that fits well within Miami’s balanced offensive philosophy.

While the room lacks a proven All-MAC veteran, it features several players with Power Four experience, impressive size, and the versatility to contribute as both blockers and pass catchers. As quarterback Thomas Gotkowski leads the offense, the development of the tight ends could become one of the biggest X-factors in Miami’s pursuit of another MAC Championship Game appearance.

Projected 2026 Tight End Depth Chart

1. Christian Ross (Redshirt Junior)

Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 225 pounds Home town: Midland City, Alabama Previous School: Memphis

Bio

Ross enters the season as Miami’s projected starting tight end and the most experienced player in the room. After transferring from Memphis, he brings valuable FBS experience and has developed into a reliable veteran capable of handling every-down responsibilities.

His athletic ability allows Miami to line him up in multiple positions, making him an important chess piece within the offense.

Strengths

• Experienced college veteran
• Smooth route runner
• Reliable hands
• Athletic enough to create mismatches
• Versatile alignment options

Areas for Improvement

• Can add functional strength as a blocker
• Needs to improve consistency in contested catches
• More physical after the catch

Outlook

Ross has the potential to become one of the better receiving tight ends in the MAC and should be one of quarterback Thomas Gotkowski’s most dependable security blankets.

2. Eric Karner (Redshirt Sophomore)

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 226 pounds

Hometown: Itasca, Illinois

Previous School: Texas A&M

Bio

Karner arrives with Power Four pedigree after beginning his career at Texas A&M. He possesses excellent length and athleticism while still developing into a complete player.

Strengths

• Outstanding athletic upside
• Excellent size
• Long catch radius
• Fluid movement
• High football ceiling

Areas for Improvement

• Continue developing as an in-line blocker
• Needs more game experience
• Improve route precision

Outlook

Karner may have the highest overall ceiling in the room and could become one of Miami’s breakout offensive players if his development continues.

3. Gray Maultsby (Redshirt Freshman)

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 239 pounds

Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

High School: IMG Academy

Bio

A former IMG Academy standout, Maultsby combines impressive size with strong athletic traits. His frame already resembles that of a collegiate starter.

Strengths

• Excellent size
• Physical blocker
• Strong frame
• Athletic upside
• Red-zone potential

Areas for Improvement

• Overall experience
• Route-running consistency
• Pass protection technique

Outlook

Maultsby has the physical tools to develop into one of the MAC’s better all-around tight ends over the next few seasons.

4. Brayden Boeing (Redshirt Freshman)

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 231 pounds

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

High School: Elder

Bio

The former Elder Panther gives Miami another athletic pass-catching option. Boeing has continued to add strength while developing within the RedHawks’ system.

Strengths

• Soft hands
• Large catch radius
• Good body control
• Fluid athlete
• High football IQ

Areas for Improvement

• Functional strength
• Blocking consistency
• Overall experience

Outlook

Boeing has the potential to become an effective receiving threat in two-tight end formations.

5. Trey Zvonar (Redshirt Freshman)

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 232 pounds

Hometown: Frankfort, Illinois

Bio

Zvonar brings toughness and versatility to the room. Though slightly smaller than some teammates, he plays with excellent effort and physicality.

Strengths

• Tough competitor
• Reliable blocker
• Strong work ethic
• Special teams value
• Consistent effort

Areas for Improvement

• Top-end speed
• Route separation
• Receiving production

Outlook

Zvonar projects as a dependable rotational tight end capable of contributing in short-yardage situations.

6. Brendan Loftus (Redshirt Freshman)

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 210 pounds

Hometown: Glenview, Illinois

Bio

Loftus owns one of the tallest frames in the room and offers intriguing receiving upside. As he continues to add weight, his overall game should expand considerably.

Strengths

• Elite height
• Tremendous catch radius
• Athletic upside
• Red-zone mismatch
• Long-term potential

Areas for Improvement

• Add 20-30 pounds of muscle
• Blocking technique
• Physical strength
• College experience

Outlook

Loftus is an exciting developmental prospect whose future could be very bright once he physically matures.

7. Noam Butbul (Redshirt Freshman)

Height: 6-foot-0

Weight: 224 pounds

Hometown: Calabasas, California

Bio

Despite being undersized for the position, Butbul brings versatility and toughness. His athletic profile allows him to contribute in multiple offensive packages.

Strengths

• Athleticism
• Quickness
• Versatility
• Competitive attitude
• Special teams ability

Areas for Improvement

• Size against larger defenders
• Catch radius
• Inline blocking
• Overall experience

Outlook

Butbul provides valuable depth while giving Miami flexibility in H-back and specialty offensive packages.

Position Strengths

Miami’s biggest strength is its overall athleticism and upside.

The room features multiple former Power Four players, excellent length, and several young athletes who are only beginning to tap into their potential. The coaching staff has assembled a group capable of growing together over multiple seasons.

The combination of Christian Ross’s experience and the young talent behind him gives Miami one of the more intriguing tight end rooms in the MAC.

Biggest Concerns

Experience remains the biggest question.

Outside of Ross, the room is made up primarily of underclassmen who have yet to establish themselves as consistent contributors. Miami will need one or two younger players to emerge quickly in order to maximize offensive flexibility.

Consistency as run blockers will also be an important point of emphasis throughout the season.

How Miami’s Tight End Room Compares to the MAC

Compared to the rest of the conference, Miami possesses one of the highest-upside tight end groups, although it is still developing.

MAC Position Rankings

• Depth: B+
• Blocking: B
• Receiving Ability: B+
• Athleticism: A-
• Long-Term Potential: A-

While schools like Toledo and Ohio have recently featured highly productive veteran tight ends, Miami’s room may ultimately possess more overall athletic upside. If Eric Karner or Gray Maultsby develops into a consistent playmaker alongside Christian Ross, the RedHawks could field one of the conference’s most balanced tight end units by season’s end.

Final Thoughts

The Miami RedHawks may not have the most experienced tight end room in the MAC, but they have assembled one of its most promising groups.

Christian Ross provides veteran leadership and immediate production, while Eric Karner’s Power Four experience and Gray Maultsby’s physical tools give Miami legitimate difference-makers for the future. Brayden Boeing, Trey Zvonar, Brendan Loftus, and Noam Butbul round out a deep room that offers versatility and developmental potential.

If the younger players continue to mature throughout the 2026 season, Miami’s tight ends could quietly become one of the strengths of an offense that already features an experienced quarterback, veteran offensive line, and balanced attack. The future is bright, and the ceiling for this group is among the highest in the Mid-American Conference.