TIGHT END
Returning players
Alex Faiivae
Kache Kaio
2025 players not returning
Broc Lane (Graduation)
Kyle Lively (Church Mission)
Josh Sterzer (Graduation)
Chase Tuatagaloa (Medically Retired)
2026 post-spring ball attrition
NONE
2025 total production lost
23 games
10 starts
26 receptions
274 yards
3 touchdowns
2025 total production returning
13 games
1 starts
2 receptions
10 yards
2025 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college)
NONE
New Faces in 2026
Preston McDaniel 6’4″ 225 (3*) – Thunder Ridge HS, ID
2025 (Sr.) Stats: 31 receptions 489 yards 7 touchdowns
2024 (Jr.) Stats: 41 receptions 564 yards 4 TDs
2023 (So.) Stats: 18 receptions 200 yards 4 TDs
Offers from: Air Force, Army, Dartmouth, Fresno St, Navy, Nevada, Oklahoma St, Pittsburgh, San Diego St, Tulsa, Utah Tech, Wyoming
Primary recruiter: Ali’i Niumatalolo; Shane Hunter
https://www.hudl.com/profile/18193343/Preston-McDaniel
Jude Nelson 6’4″ 225 (3*) – Millikan HS, CA
2025 (Sr.) Stats: 61 receptions 824 yards 12 TDs; 12 tackles 5.0 tackles-for-loss 2.0 sacks 4 QB hurries 1 pass breakup 1 forced fumble 1 fumble recovery
2024 (Jr.) Stats: 29 receptions 357 yards 5 TDs; 13 tackles 6.0 tackles-for-loss 4.0 sacks 7 QB hurries
2023 (So.) Stats: 13 receptions 176 yards 2 TDs
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 2 receptions 9 yards
Offers from: Arizona St, boise st, byu, Colorado St, Delaware St, Fresno St, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Sacramento St, San Diego St, UCLA, UNLV, Washington St
Primary recruiter: Ali’i Niumatalolo
https://www.hudl.com/profile/18096151/Jude-Nelson
2026 OUTLOOK
KACHE KAIO
Junior Kache Kaio is the lone returner from 2025 who saw any action.
As a sophomore last season, Kaio played in 13 games with 1 start and caught 2 passes for 10 yards.
During his 2-year career at Utah State and Snow Junior College (UT), Kaio has played in 22 games and with 10 starts, snagging 15 receptions for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Kaio chose the Aggies over an offer from Old Dominion.
In limited action, Kaio has shown that he has a knack for running good routes and uses his raw technique and solid footwork to get himself open. He does a good job of reading opposing defenses and finding the soft spots in the zone, and settles in waiting for a pass to come his way. He runs hard after the catch and has proven to be tough to tackle. His stout build and sense of balance allow him to pick up additional yards after contact. He is a capable blocker who knows his assignment and opens up holes for his teammates.
PRESTON McDANIEL
True freshman Preston McDaniel enrolled at Utah State in January and gave himself a huge advantage by going through spring ball.
As a senior at Thunder Ridge High School (ID) in 2025, McDaniel played in 9 games with 9 starts and pulled down 31 receptions for 489 yards and 7 touchdowns.
During his 3-year high school career with the Titans, McDaniel played in 26 games with 18 starts, totaling 89 receptions for 1,215yards and 15 touchdowns.
According to 247sports, McDaniel was rated as the 1,807th-best player nationally, the 82nd-best tight end, and the 8th-best player in Idaho. McDaniel chose the Aggies over offers from Air Force, Army, Dartmouth, Fresno State, Navy, Nevada, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, Tulsa, Utah Tech, and Wyoming.
McDaniel already has the ideal size for a collegiate tight end. He is a multi-sport athlete, which contributes to his high level of athleticism and coordination. He has sticky hands and rarely allows a ball to hit the turf. He has a series of effective releases at the line of scrimmage that allow him to get open quickly. He has good size and uses his body well when high-pointing a ball to come down with a catch. Once he has the ball in his hands, he has some shifty moves to make opposing defenders miss in the open field. Because of his size and speed, he is an instant mismatch wherever he lines up.
JUDE NELSON
True freshman Jude Nelson enrolled at Utah State in January and gave himself a huge advantage by going through spring ball.
Last season, as a high school senior at Millikan High School (CA), Nelson played in 9 games with 9 starts and pulled down 61 receptions for 824 yards and 12 touchdowns.
During his 4-year high school career with the Rams, Nelson played in 39 games with 18 starts, hauling in 105 receptions for 1,366 yards and 19 touchdowns.
According to On3sports, Nelson was rated as the 1,610th-best player nationally, the 98th-best tight end, and the 118th-best player in California. Nelson chose the Aggies over offers from Arizona St, boise state, byu, Colorado State, Delaware State, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Sacramento State, San Diego State, UCLA, UNLV, and Washington State.
Nelson uses his basketball player-like build to provide a big target for his quarterback. He has wide receiver-type speed and can pull away from defenders once the ball is in his hands. He runs a smooth route and is capable of running most routes in the route tree. His favorite route is the seam route, and his strong hands help him hang onto the ball after getting popped by an opposing safety. His ability to easily outjump opposing defenders makes him a primary end-zone target. He can come off the ball lined up next to a tackle or line up in the slot. He’ll block for his teammates and doesn’t hesitate to hunt for opposing players to lay into.
ALEX FAIIVAE
Redshirt freshman Alex Faiivae will battle for reps in fall camp.
As a true freshman last season, Faiivae spent the season on the Aggie practice squad and was able to preserve his redshirt season.
During his 3-year high school career, Faiivae played in 27 games with 27 starts and pulled in 56 receptions and had 2,310 all-purpose yards with 32 touchdowns. Due to his playing high school football in American Samoa, there are limited stats available.
According to 247sports, Faiivae was rated as the 2,317th-best player nationally, the 149th-best tight end, and the 11th-best prospect overall in American Samoa. He chose the Aggies over an offer from Minnesota North-Vermillion.
Faiivae does a solid job watching the ball all the way in and securing the catch. He isn’t afraid to work over the middle of the field, and he uses his strength to hold onto the ball after taking a big hit. He has a physical nature and is not afraid to lower his shoulder to run through an opposing defender for extra yardage. He has a good burst of speed and is capable of being a threat to gain yardage after the catch. I think he is a raw talent who is just barely scratching the surface of the player he could become.
PROJECTED 2026 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
TIGHT END
18 Kache Kaio (6-3, 240, Jr., 1L, NR)
00 Preston McDaniel (6-4, 225, Fr., HS, 3*) OR
00 Jude Nelson (6-4, 230, Fr., HS, 3*)
00 Alex Faiivae (6-2, 220, RsFr., RS, 3*)
Coming Up On Tuesday: RHINO/Fullback