South Carolina Football Roster Breakdown: Tight Ends

The season is right around the corner which means it's time to take a look at position groups on the Gamecocks roster. The tight end group should be a reliable group filled with different body types for Kendal Briles this season. We break down the tight ends and where things stand in that room before kickoff on Sept 5.

The tight end room may be the biggest question mark on offense in terms on what the room can provide production wise in 2026. The offensive line (more on that tomorrow) has a lot of new player, but has the talent to be a much better unit than last season. Tight ends coach Shawn Elliott will lean on a couple veterans in Brady Hunt and transfer Max Drag to go along with some young talent in Mike Tyler and Maurice Brown II. There isn't a Joshua Simon level pass catcher in the room, but they can be counted on in the run game and be a potential safety net in the passing game.

Brady Hunt

87 DAYS UNTIL @GamecockFB 🐔🐔

Today’s spotlight is on current South Carolina TE, #87 Brady Hunt!

Hunt is entering his 3rd year with the Gamecocks, having played in 22 games with 8 starts since 2024.

Here’s a clutch play from @brady_hunt as he finds some open space and fights…
— Walker Gaskins (@WGSports_CFB) June 10, 2026

The elder statesman in the room, Hunt enters his sixth year of college football and his third in Columbia with the Gamecocks. Since arriving in 2024, he has caught 23 passes for 190 yards. The best game of his Gamecocks career came on the road last year against Virginia Tech where he hauled in four receptions for 45 yards. Voted as a captain last season, Hunt is a leader for this offense and should be a safety net for the offense this season.

Mike Tyler

NEW: The South Carolina 2026 Spring Awards for @GamecockFB have been announced!

President’s Outstanding Student-Athlete Award: David Bucey

Harold White GPA Award:
-Offense: Neil Salvage III
-Defense: Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy
-Special Teams: Kyler Farrow

Most Improved:
-Offense:… pic.twitter.com/7Slx6jjXJd
— Walker Gaskins (@WGSports_CFB) April 11, 2026

Entering his second season with the team, Mike Tyler saw game time in each of South Carolina's final 11 games of 2025. He registered one reception for 13 yards against Coastal Carolina. Tyler is going through his first full offseason with the team and was named the Most Improved Player of the Spring for the offense in 2026. Rated as a three-star prospect in the 2025 class, Tyler brings upside as a pass catcher. If he can hit his ceiling this season, it changes everything for that room going forward.

Max Drag

BREAKING: UCF transfer TE Max Drag has committed to South Carolina, per @mzenitz and @chris_hummer

The 6’4”, 230 lb TE recorded 3 catches for 19 yards in 2025 with UCF. He recorded 1 catch for 11 yards and 1 TD in 2024 with Appalachian State.

The Chapin, South Carolina native… pic.twitter.com/jt9e9pa43D
— Walker Gaskins (@WGSports_CFB) January 18, 2026

The former Golden Knight, Max Drag transferred to the Gamecocks this offseason. In 2025 Drag played in 11 games, making one start, for UCF mainly serving as an extra blocker. He will be counted on to fill a depth role for the Gamecocks and come in to serve as an extra blocker. With a unit that struggled to run the ball last season, Drag can be very useful in multiple tight end sets.

Maurice Brown II

A former walk on now entering year three with the program, Maurice Brown II finished last season with a career high in catches (2) and yards (24). Mostly serving as a special teams performer and reserve tight end, he was named a co-recipient of the Jim Carlen Most Valuable Special Teams Player Award following the season.

Brady Hunt should be the starting tight end to begin the year, but in terms of upside keep an eye out for Mike Tyler. He has the capabilities of providing the pass catching upside that quarterback LaNorris Sellers had with Josh Simon in 2024.

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