UNA Football Notebook: Tight Ends

FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama football team is just over a week away from competition, as the Lions wrap up fall camp this weekend and begin to turn attention to Week 0 opponent Southeast Missouri.

For the month of August leading up to opening week, RoarLions.com will release breakdowns of every position. Today’s spotlight is on the tight end and h-back positions.

There are seven tight ends listed on the roster, including returners Kaleb Heatherly, Amarie Rogers and Nathan Brockway. Heatherly led the group last season with appearances in all 11 games with six starts, catching passes against Abilene Christian and Florida State. He also led with three catches for 68 yards in the 2024 UNA Spring Game.

“We’ve got some great tight ends this year,” said Heatherly. “We’ve got some vertical threats and some guys that will mainly be in to block. We all have our own advantages and disadvantages, but we can all use them together to be great in the tight end room. Coach (Kevin) Wewers pushes us hard every day. We’re always studying extra and trying to do extra on the field. I think it’s going to be a great year for the tight ends.”

The Lions added five newcomers in this group, including one international player in true freshman Braden Forscutt from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Forscutt is also a long snapper

The group is coached by offensive coordinator Kevin Wewers. He enters his second season at UNA and has previously worked with head coach Brent Dearmon at Bethel, Kansas and Florida Atlantic.

“I feel like sometimes (tight ends) are the unsung heroes,” said Wewers. “They don’t always get their names called or get those passes thrown their way or carrying the ball, but we ask them to do a lot. They are the adjuster in our offense quite a bit, so they’re always at the point of attack. For us to be successful, they have to be successful. They are a dedicated group of guys that are blue collar, show up to work every day and give everything they have for the program.”