Washington Transfer Josh Cuevas Helping Alabama TEs Acclimate to New Offense

Cuevas is one of four Washington transfers that followed Kalen DeBoer to Alabama.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Last season Washington had one of the most prolific passing attacks in the country under Kalen DeBoer. Yes, having Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback helped along with weapons like Rome Odunze and Ja'Lynn Polk at wide receiver.

But DeBoer's offense also utilizes tight ends in the passing game, with three different tight ends finishing the season with over 150 receiving yards for Washington. One of those tight ends, Josh Cuevas, was one of the four Husky players to follow DeBoer, Nick Sheridan and Ja'Marcus Shepherd from Washington to Alabama.

After Tuesday's practice, Alabama senior tight end Robbie Ouzts said having someone join their position group that already has familiarity with DeBoer's offense and scheme has been a big boost to the group.

"It’s definitely helped, especially in the tight end room with Josh," Ouzts said. "He’s kind of been there, done that. Anytime we have a question— it could be like signals or footwork or a certain scheme or whatever we’re doing— just having a guy you can ask with experience. He’s been taught that before."

 Last season at Washington, Cuevas finished with four catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. It was his first season with the Huskies after transferring in from Cal Poly, where he had 58 receptions for 678 yards and six touchdowns in 2022.

“Adding Josh to a tight end room that’s very versatile already, adding another hand– I feel like the tight end room’s the most complete position group on the team," Ouzts said. "I feel like adding Josh to that group makes us that much better.”

Alongside Ouzts and Cuevas, Alabama's tight end room features senior CJ Dippre (11 catches for 187 yards last season), redshirt sophomore Danny Lewis Jr. and redshirt freshman Ty Lockwood.

New tight ends coach Bryan Ellis said Cuevas is a hard worker and has what it takes to compete in the SEC.

"He’s tough— at the tight end position it starts and ends with toughness," Ellis said. "You’ve got to have courage. To play tight end in this league, it’s even more about that. And he has plenty of that. So I’m very fortunate that they [former Washington coaches] brought him with them.”