During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Arkansas built a reputation as “Tight End U,” with stars like Chris Gragg, D.J. Williams, and Hunter Henry lighting up Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. But in recent years, the Razorbacks have struggled to recapture that level of production at the position.
It’s not due to a lack of talent. Since 2016, Arkansas has brought in several highly touted tight ends, including 4-star recruits Luke Hasz, Trey Knox, Cheyenne O’Grady, and Austin Cantrell. There have also been late bloomers like Ty Washington and Jeremy Sprinkle, who developed into reliable contributors. Still, none have quite replicated the impact or star power seen during Arkansas’ tight end heyday.
Now, Razorbacks tight ends coach Morgan Turner is determined to revive the position—and he’s going global to do it. For the first time in his coaching career, Turner’s tight end room features two international players: Andreas Paaske from Denmark and Rohan Jones from Canada.
Global Talent Making Waves in Arkansas Tight End Room
“It’s wild,” Turner said during Saturday’s press conference. “It’s not like we intentionally set out to find international guys. It just worked out that the right fits for our room happened to come from overseas.”
Paaske, who transferred to Arkansas last season from Eastern Michigan, had limited involvement in the passing game but made the most of his chances. His stat line—three catches for 19 yards and two touchdowns, all in a single game against Mississippi State—was one of the most efficient on the team. With pass-catching threats like Hasz, Washington, and Var’Keyes Gumms ahead of him, Paaske’s primary role became that of a physical blocker.
Rohan Jones, meanwhile, is entering his fourth year of college football, but his journey to the SEC is anything but typical. Growing up in Montreal, Jones was a soccer player who often found himself too physical for the sport. After switching to football, he dreamed of playing for Syracuse simply because of its proximity to home. The SEC wasn’t even on his radar until last year.
“I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what the SEC was until maybe last year,” Jones admitted on Saturday. “Being from Canada, I didn’t know the conferences or the teams. My only offer out of high school was from Maine, and I thought, ‘this is my shot.’ But once I learned about the SEC, I knew that’s where I wanted to be.”
Turner highlighted how his two international tight ends, Andreas Paaske and Rohan Jones, have leaned on each other while navigating the unique challenges of playing college football in the United States — especially when it comes to Visa complications. Despite their different backgrounds, the shared experience of being far from home has fostered a bond between them.
Among the tight ends, Paaske stands out as one of the most experienced players in the room, second only to versatile Swiss Army Knife Maddox Lassiter. As a result, Paaske has taken on a leadership role, mentoring the younger players while continuing to refine his own skill set — particularly his receiving abilities.
“He’s worked like crazy,” Turner said of Paaske. “He’s doing everything he can to get better in all areas. He’s out there running routes, catching balls — it’s impressive. He’s working really hard. It matters to him, and it shows.”
While Paaske has flashed glimpses of his potential in the passing game, Jones arrives with a skill set that’s already caught the coaching staff’s attention. At 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, he’s considered undersized for a traditional SEC tight end, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in tenacity. His run blocking is still a work in progress, but his fearless approach is evident.
“He’s not afraid to mix it up in the run game,” Turner said, referring to Jones’ film from Montana State. “He’ll go hit you — that jumped out to me right away on tape.”
Paaske’s development as a receiver and Jones’ physical mindset in the run game give Arkansas a promising foundation in the tight end room. Both have areas to improve, but together, they bring a unique combination of grit and versatility. If they continue on their upward trajectory, Paaske and Jones could be the duo that helps Arkansas reclaim its “Tight End U” identity.
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