Arizona All-Quarter-Century Team: Tight Ends

Arizona football has entered its bye-week, which means we will be putting together our Arizona Wildcats On SI All-Quarter Century Team.

Oct 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Wildcats tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) scores a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

So far in the Brent Brennan era of Arizona football, the Wildcats have had their struggles on the road with four-straight losses dating back to last year. UA has lost those games by an average of 28 points and have fallen behind by double-digits in all four games.

Arizona (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) was able to get things going early by striking quickly as quarterback Noah Fifita hit receiver Tre Spivey for a 70-yard touchdown pass, which seemed to set the tone early for the offense.

Despite the fast start, Arizona found itself trailing 21-14 to Houston (6-1-,3-1) at the half thanks to defensive struggles in the second quarter. And once again, the Wildcats lost the middle eight of the game, which resulted in a Cougars 31-28 win over the Wildcats.

Although Arizona fell on Saturday against Houston and has lost two-straight games, the program is clearly moving in the right direction and has improved drastically from a season ago.

September 20, 2008; Pasadena, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats tight end Rob Gronkowski (48) is congratulated by guard Joe Longacre (75) after scoring against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Arizona defeated UCLA 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Now with the Wildcats in the bye-week, we at Arizona Wildcats On SI have decided to roll out our All-Quarter-Century Team breaking down the top players at every position over the last 25 years of Arizona football.

Today we are taking a look at what the top two tight ends would be over the last 25 years with one player at each position.

Top Tight Ends

Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) keeps the ball from Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Kendel Dolby (15) after a catch in the first half at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

2. Tanner McLachlan (2022-23)

• The only player to come close to the things Gronkowski was able to do at Arizona at the position was tight end Tanner McLachlan, who was a critical piece in the Wildcats 10-3 Alamo Bowl winning season. In his career, McLachlan totaled 984 yards on 79 catches while getting to the end zone six times. During the 2023 season, he established himself as one of the better tight ends in the Pac-12 conference. 

Nov 18, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) celebrates after a touchdown against the Utah Utes during the second half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-Imagn Images | Zachary BonDurant-Imagn Images

• The story of McLachlan is a very unique one. Like Gronkowski, he dealt with injuries early in his career while at Southern Utah, where he tore his ACL. Arizona allowed McLachlan to walk-on with the recommendation of then-tight ends coach Jordan Paopao. With the opportunity, he shined, and it wasn't too long until they made him a scholarship player.

1. Rob Gronowski (2007-09)

September 20, 2008; Pasadena, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats tight end Rob Gronkowski (48) runs in to score a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Arizona defeated UCLA 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

• Rob Gronkowski is the all-time leader in receiving yards for a tight end and it isn't close with his 1,197 yards on 75 receptions while hauling in 16 TDs. That's all despite missing his junior season due to a back surgery. Gronkowski was a monster in his first two years with the program and set the standard for tight ends not only at Arizona but nationally as well. 

• His best season came in 2008, where he recorded 672 yards on 75 catches and found the end zone 10 times. Gronkowski became the No. 2 option for quarterback Willie Tuitama behind star receiver Mike Thomas.

• During that season, Gronkowski helped the program reach the Vegas Bowl where the Wildcats upset No. 16 BYU 31-21 ending a 10-year bowl drought delivering the X win for the Wildcats in bowl games.

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