Former Nebraska tight end headed to Jacksonville Jaguars in surprise

TL;DR

Nate Boerkircher, a former Nebraska tight end, was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the 56th pick in the second round of the NFL draft. He played for the Huskers from 2020 to 2024 before transferring to Texas A&M for the 2025 season.

Key points

Nate Boerkircher was selected 56th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He played for Nebraska from 2020 to 2024 before transferring to Texas A&M.
In his final college season, he had 19 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns.

Nate BoerkircherJacksonville JaguarsTexas A&M AggiesNebraska Cornhuskers

A former Nebraska tight end is a second-round NFL draft pick. Texas A&M Aggie Nate Boerkircher was selected with pick 56 by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Aurora, Nebraska, native played for the Huskers from 2020 to 2024 before transferring to College Station for the 2025 season. In his four seasons in Lincoln, he appeared in 39 games and had 19 receptions for 219 yards and one touchdown.

Last season, he had 19 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns for the Aggies. Here is how USA TODAY Sports broke down the Jags first pick of the 2026 draft

And the Jags get on the board. Big (6-6, 245), if not huge, Boerkircher will do a lot more time blocking guys than snagging passes from QB Trevor Lawrence. Boerkircher caught 38 balls in five college seasons, though half occurred last year, his lone campaign with the Aggies after spending four years with Nebraska.

Jacksonville is clearly looking for size from the tight end position to help protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence. That 6-6, 245-pound frame didn't have a ton of pass-catching experience in college, but the Jags clearly see something that they like.

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Q&A

What are Nate Boerkircher's college stats at Nebraska and Texas A&M?

At Nebraska, Boerkircher had 19 receptions for 219 yards and one touchdown over four seasons, while at Texas A&M, he recorded 19 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns in his single season.

Why did Nate Boerkircher transfer from Nebraska to Texas A&M?

Boerkircher transferred to Texas A&M for the 2025 season after spending four years at Nebraska, likely seeking new opportunities and a fresh start in his college football career.

What position does Nate Boerkircher play and how does he fit into the Jaguars' roster?

Nate Boerkircher plays as a tight end and is expected to contribute primarily in blocking roles for the Jaguars, complementing their offensive strategy alongside quarterback Trevor Lawrence.