Evan McKissack Aims to Build Physical, Intelligent Tight Complete Room at Florida

GAINESVILLE, FL – New Florida Gators tight ends coach Evan McKissack is prioritizing physicality, athleticism, and football IQ as he builds his position group ahead of the 2026 season. McKissack, who joined the Gators under head coach Jon Sumrall, brings a unique perspective to the role, having previously coached offensive lines.

From Offensive Line to Tight Ends: A Coach’s Journey

Evan McKissack enters his first season as Florida’s tight ends coach after spending the 2024 and 2025 seasons as the Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach at Tulane . During his time with the Green Wave, the offensive line consistently ranked among the best in the conference in pass protection, allowing just 10 sacks during the 2025 regular season, seventh-fewest tackles-for-loss allowed (48) . Prior to Tulane, McKissack honed his skills coaching tight ends at Troy (2022-2023) and Murray State (2022-2023).

Emphasis on Versatility and Intelligence

Despite his offensive line background, McKissack is seeking tight ends who can excel in both blocking and receiving roles. “It’s been awesome, as we’re the edge of the box,” McKissack said. “We’re also the aspect of the box that can be a really big threat in the pass game. And I think that’s the type of guys we’ve really tried to get in here, is the guys that can extend that field vertically so that we can.”

McKissack values players with a high football IQ and the ability to perform under pressure. “I’m excited about the smartness in our room, the football IQ aspect, it’s there,” McKissack stated. “I think the biggest thing is when things do get hard, that’s what I’m really excited about. I’m ready to see if somebody’s going to tap, and if not, then I know we got a really good group.”

2026 Tight End Roster Breakdown

The Gators’ tight end room features a mix of returning players and newcomers, including:

• Newcomers: Lacota Dippre (RSo., transfer from James Madison), Luke Harpring (RSo., transfer from Georgia Tech), Evan Chieca (RJr., transfer from New Haven), Heze Kent (Fr.), Hank Brown Jr. (Fr.)
• Returners: Amir Jackson (RSo.), Micah Jones (RFr.)

Amir Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound redshirt sophomore, is the most experienced tight end on the roster, having appeared in 11 games and recording his first career touchdown catch in 2025 . McKissack is focused on Jackson’s continued mental development to unlock his full potential.

The Gators also added three transfer tight ends during the offseason: Luke Harpring (Georgia Tech) and Lacota Dippre (James Madison). McKissack praised both players for their winning backgrounds and versatility .

Heze Kent, a 6-6, 310-pound freshman, presents an intriguing project for McKissack, with the goal of reducing his weight to under 290 pounds before fall camp. McKissack envisions Kent as a tight end, despite potential interest from other positions .

Looking Ahead

With spring practices beginning on March 3, McKissack will have the opportunity to evaluate his tight end group and begin implementing his vision for the position. His focus on physicality, intelligence, and versatility will be key as he aims to build a dynamic and impactful tight end room for the Florida Gators.