While Cincinnati’s wide receiver room features plenty of new faces, the tight end group offers a blend of returning experience, developmental talent and versatility. The Bearcats may not have a household name at the position, but the room features several players capable of contributing in different ways, whether as blockers, pass catchers or special teams contributors. With a mix of veterans and younger prospects continuing to develop, Cincinnati will look for the position group to provide stability and complement the passing game in 2026.
Gavin Grover – Junior
Grover enters the season as the favorite to lead Cincinnati’s tight end room. At 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, he possesses the size and physical profile coaches look for in a traditional every-down tight end. His combination of length, strength and experience makes him one of the more complete players at the position, allowing him to contribute both as a blocker and receiving option.
Images courtesy of Gavin Grover
Grover appeared in all 13 games during the 2025 season and saw his role gradually expand within the offense. One of his most productive performances came against Kansas, where he recorded two receptions for 40 yards, highlighted by a 33-yard gain. He also hauled in passes against Oklahoma State and Navy while contributing on special teams with an 11-yard kick return against Oklahoma State. As Cincinnati looks for consistency at tight end, Grover appears well-positioned to handle a significant share of the workload.
Kellen Davis – Redshirt Sophomore
A Northern Kentucky product, Davis brings versatility and toughness to the position. His physical style of play allows him to contribute as a blocker, while his athleticism gives the Bearcats flexibility to align him in multiple spots throughout the formation. He has also developed a reputation for doing the little things well, making him a valuable depth piece.
Davis appeared against Northwestern State during the 2025 season while preserving his redshirt. Although game opportunities were limited, his continued development within the program has positioned him to compete for a larger role moving forward. His willingness to contribute on special teams and in various offensive packages could help him earn additional snaps in 2026.
Devyn Zahursky – Redshirt Sophomore
Zahursky is one of the more intriguing young options in Cincinnati’s tight end room. Possessing a strong athletic profile, he offers the ability to move around the formation and create matchup opportunities in the passing game. His versatility gives the coaching staff flexibility when designing personnel packages and offensive looks.
Images courtesy of Devyn Zahursky
The redshirt sophomore appeared in all 13 games last season, contributing on both offense and special teams. While his offensive production remains a work in progress, the experience gained throughout the season should help accelerate his development. With another offseason of growth, Zahursky could be poised to take on a larger role within the offense.
Lyviel Waters – Redshirt Sophomore
Waters may not be the tallest player in the room at 6-foot-2, but he brings a physical and competitive approach that coaches appreciate. He plays with consistent effort and has shown a willingness to do the dirty work required at the tight end position, particularly as a blocker and special teams contributor.
Images courtesy of Lyviel Waters
During the 2025 season, Waters saw action against Northwestern State, Oklahoma State and Baylor. While his opportunities were limited, the experience allowed him to continue developing at the collegiate level. His physicality and motor provide valuable depth as Cincinnati builds its rotation at tight end.
Ka’Maurri Smith – Redshirt Freshman
Smith enters the season as one of the highest-upside developmental players in the group. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 252 pounds, he possesses the physical tools coaches covet at the position. His frame, athletic ability and natural ball skills give him the potential to develop into a productive receiving threat.
Smith appeared against Northwestern State during the 2025 campaign before preserving his redshirt season. Another year in Cincinnati’s strength and conditioning program should help prepare him for a larger role. His size and catch radius could eventually make him a valuable target, particularly in short yardage and red-zone situations.
Gavin Gregory – Freshman
Gregory arrives in Clifton as one of the most physically impressive newcomers on the roster. At 6-foot-7, he immediately becomes one of the tallest players in Cincinnati’s tight end room and brings significant long-term potential. His length and athleticism provide intriguing upside as both a pass catcher and matchup problem for opposing defenses.
The freshman enjoyed a productive high school career, recording 38 receptions for 714 yards and eight touchdowns during his senior season. Gregory finished with more than 1,400 career receiving yards while helping lead his team to a Division IV playoff appearance. He also excelled on the basketball court, a background that often translates well to the tight end position. While his greatest impact may come in future seasons, his physical tools make him an exciting prospect to monitor.
DaMari Witherspoon – Redshirt Freshman
Witherspoon adds additional youth and athleticism to Cincinnati’s tight end depth chart. Possessing a long frame with promising physical traits, he represents another developmental option with room to grow within the program.
He appeared against Northwestern State during the 2025 season before utilizing a redshirt year. As he continues to add strength and experience, Witherspoon will look to position himself for a larger role in the years ahead. His combination of size and athletic potential gives Cincinnati another intriguing young player to develop at the position.
Closing Thoughts
While the tight end room may not feature an established star, it offers Cincinnati a combination of experience, versatility and developmental upside. Grover provides a proven option at the top of the depth chart, while players such as Zahursky, Davis and Waters bring valuable experience and flexibility behind him. The younger group, led by Smith, Gregory and Witherspoon, gives the Bearcats plenty of long-term potential at the position. If Cincinnati can continue developing the room while finding ways to utilize its size and athleticism, the tight ends could become an important complement to the offense throughout the 2026 season.
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