Texas flips versatile TE to end difficult recruiting cycle

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.

This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.