Texas flips versatile TE to end difficult recruiting cycle
Head Coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns staff secured a crucial commitment by flipping three-star tight end Charlie Jilek from Minnesota, injecting much-needed talent into the 2026 class ahead of the season’s biggest matchup.
Even as the Longhorns prepare for their biggest game of the season against Georgia on Saturday, the coaching staff is taking measures to secure the program’s future. Texas officially flipped Portage Central product Charlie Jilek from the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Thursday, ending a difficult recruiting cycle at the tight end position just weeks before Early Signing Day.
For a program that has excelled at developing tight ends, the 6’5, 240-pound Jilek arrives with the potential to be a future star. Jilek, who is ranked as the 22nd best player from Michigan, had previously committed to Minnesota but will now be heading to Austin next year.
The commitment helps salvage a challenging cycle for position coach Jeff Banks, who missed on top targets and dealt with a rare decommitment in July. Jilek was a “necessity for the Horns”, who had to land a high school prospect after taking two tight ends in the 2025 class.
Jilek’s potential is rooted in his versatility. The Portage Central product was a standout basketball player and also played linebacker in high school, where he recorded 100 tackles, three sacks, and an interception as a junior. This two-way ability drew initial attention from schools like Central Michigan and Arkansas State at both positions.
At Texas, however, he is expected to see the majority of his snaps on offense. The Texas staff is clearly hoping that their evaluation and eventual development of Jilek echoes Gunnar Helm, who was the lowest-rated non-specialist in the 2021 recruiting class.
With Jilek officially in the mix, he joins a loaded 2026 class that includes five-star prospects such as Dia Bell, Tyler Atkinson, and Jermaine Bishop. The class, which currently ranks eighth in the nation by 247Sports, will get further help from four-star recruits like Richard Wesley and Derek Cooper.
With Jilek, the Longhorns showed that they are willing to do whatever it takes to improve the program’s future. Though fans will have to be patient, Jilek is expected to be an important weapon in the Longhorns’ passing game when he arrives on campus.
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