Texas TE Jack Endries Quietly Becoming NFL Draft Name to Watch

Texas tight end Jack Endries enters the 2026 NFL Draft as a multi-year starter. An athletic pass-catcher and competitive in-line blocker, experience and versatility could allow Endries to make an immediate impact. That's desirable at a position that typically takes longer to make an NFL impression.

Endries recently spoke exclusively with NFL Draft On SI. Endries discussed playing at Texas after being Fernando Mendoza's go-to target at Cal, his excellent showing at the NFL Combine, his favorite routes to run, and more.

NFL Draft Interview: Texas TE Jack Endries Can Be Instant Impact Player

JM: You enter the NFL Draft as a three-year starter. How do you think that experience will help you make a smooth transition to the next level?

Jack Endries: I’ve definitely played a lot of football. I hope it stands out that I’ve never missed a single game due to injury. I started all 39 career games I appeared in. I started my career as a walk on. I understand what it’s like to be at the bottom of a depth chart and to work my way up.

That’s kinda how it goes in the NFL. Rarely does a tight end get drafted to be an immediate starter. I’ll be ready and willing to put the work in. I’ve worked my way up the bottom. I’ve been a third string guy. I worked my way up the top. I have a lot of experience when it comes from working up and improving.

I have a lot of great experiences that’s going to help me at the next level.

JM: That’s a great point. You had two really nice seasons at Cal. You were Fernando Mendoza’s go-to target in 2024. Talk to me about making the decision to head to Texas. I thought you had a really nice season for the Longhorns in 2025.

Jack Endries: We lost a lot of guys at Cal after that 2024 season. A bunch of guys either went to the NFL or transferred elsewhere. Fernando Mendoza made the decision to head to Indiana.

I was thinking about going with Mendoza to Indiana, but I decided to stick around Cal for spring ball. The window at Indiana closed a little bit, and I decided to head to Texas. The Longhorns were a great program that were looking for a tight end in the portal.

I went to Texas to play in big games. I wanted to play at Ohio State and Georgia. I wanted to have those marque matchups on the schedule. I loved the decision to go play in front of 100,000 people.

It was an intense experience. We started 0-1 and we immediately felt the pressure. We had to play on our heels a little bit. Once we got going, we started rolling as an offense. I loved playing with that pressure. I had a great time at Texas.

Jack Endries - Texas — Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Branden Jennings (44) tackles Texas Longhorns tight end Jack Endries (88) during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

JM: You responded to that pressure like a pro. I thought you put together some nice results at the NFL Combine. You ran a 4.62 with a great 1.59 ten-yard split. Were you satisfied with the overall results?

Jack Endries: I was pretty happy with that 4.62. I really wanted to run the 40 one more time. I think I would have ran a 4.57. I wanted that, but I was satisfied with the 4.62. I decided to expand on my testing at pro day by doing some additional drills and on-field work.

I’ll stand on the 4.62. I was happy with it. I trained hard for that. I think my 40 time would have stood out even more if this wasn’t such an athletic tight end class (laughs).

JM: It was a fantastic result in the 40 yard dash for you. Watching you play in the passing game is a lot of fun. Does Jack Endries have a favorite route to run?

Jack Endries: I love every route where I’m the first read (laughs). I love running option routes. Those aren’t one dimensional routes. I have a couple of ways to get myself open on an option route. I don’t have to rely on defensive coverage. I can get open on an option route by relying on myself.

I love a 10-yard option route where I can sit down or break it outside. It depends on the coverage. I love having those opportunities.

JM: Did you have any formal interviews at the NFL Combine? Do you have any upcoming visits or Zoom meetings?

Jack Endries: I had formal interviews at the NFL Combine with the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars. I’ve had a bunch of Zoom meetings. I’ve been on virtuals with the Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, and probably another 5-10 more.

JM: There’s a ton of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. We've appreciated your time today. What kind of impact is Jack Endries going to make at the next level?

Jack Endries: You’re going to get a three-down tight end who doesn’t need to come off the field. I love catching the ball, but I’m also a very willing run blocker. I can protect the quarterback, and I’m also going to block for our wide receivers on the perimeter.

You don’t have to take me off the field. I can’t wait to work and improve.