Spring Preview: Bray and McDonald Lead Deep Tight End Room

Unexpected Contributors

Heading into the 2025 campaign, Colt Sechrest and Austin Bray were expected to dominate the tight end reps and control the rotation.

Injuries shook up the rotation early in the season, and two unexpected contributors emerged. Alex McDonald and Micheal Manna seized their opportunities, showcasing their upside as both receiving threats and run blockers.

McDonald scored touchdowns against Towson, NDSU, and UNI, finishing the season with 12 receptions for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Despite spending most of his collegiate career as a special teams contributor, he backed up his strong high school résumé last fall and carved out a role on offense.

Manna appeared in nine games and made one start against Towson. He recorded five receptions for 30 yards and had a standout performance vs South Dakota State, where he hauled in three passes for 18 yards.

His size and athleticism makes him a versatile receiving threat at tight end, and his emergence last year suggests he could have an even bigger role in 2026.

With Bray, McDonald, and Manna all back for another go-around, the question arises: can another young player crack the TE rotation and earn reps next season?

Trio of Darkhorses

Sophomore Maddox Bloomgren leads the list of dark-horse candidates at tight end and holds a slight advantage in experience with the program.

In two seasons with YSU, Bloomgren has yet to see the field. At Dripping Springs High School, he was a First Team All-District (26-6A) selection and had 29 catches for 297 yards and five touchdowns as a senior.

Other schools were on Bloomgren during the recruiting cycle, with Incarnate Word, Houston Christian, and Sam Houston State all reportedly dishing out offers in an attempt to keep him in-state (On3).

Alex Reese (6-6, 215) and Max Welter (6-7, 215) both bring impressive size to the tight end room.

Reese earned a two-star rating from 247Sports out of Martins Ferry High School. A tight end and defensive end, Reese received Division V Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-District among several other honors as a senior.

He was also a star basketball player during his junior year, averaging 25.9 points per game en route to being recognized as a Second Team Division III All-Ohio selection.

Welter played in two games last season, seeing action against Murray State and UNI. At LaSalle High School, he played tight end, wide receiver, and long snapper, while also having a background in basketball.

His athletic attributes make him a prime contender to break out in 2026.

With multiple returning contributors and several young players pushing for reps, YSU’s tight end room enters 2026 with a mix of experience and upside.