Alabama’s tight end position will look markedly different when the 2026 season kicks off, as the program navigates the loss of its 2025 starter while bolstering the group with experienced transfers and a highly touted freshman.
A New Era for Alabama's Tight Ends
Josh Cuevas, who anchored the role in 2025, was selected in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens, ending his collegiate career and leaving a void at the top of the depth chart.
Returning sophomore Kaleb Edwards, who logged 369 snaps and caught 11 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown as a freshman, is expected to assume the lead blocking and receiving responsibilities that Cuevas once held.
The roster also welcomes two transfers who bring proven production from other conferences: Josh Ford arrives from Oklahoma State, where he contributed as a reliable pass‑catching option, while Jaxon Shuttlesworth joins from Jacksonville State, where his size and route running earned him a starting spot.
Adding to the mix, top recruit Mack Sutter, ranked No. 6 among tight ends in the 2026 class, signed with Alabama after a highly competitive recruitment, bringing a blend of size, athleticism and blocking prowess that coaches say could reshape the unit.
The impact of these additions is underscored by the historical context: Cuevas’s 2025 statistics represent the most productive season for an Alabama tight end since Irv Smith Jr. in 2018, setting a high bar for the new cohort to meet.