Former Nebraska tight end headed to Jacksonville Jaguars in surprise

A former Nebraska tight end is a second-round NFL draft pick. Texas A&M Aggie Nate Boerkircher was selected with pick No. 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 at the tight end position to help protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence. That 6-foot-6, 245-pound frame didn't have much pass-catching experience in college, but the Jags clearly see something that they like.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Jacksonville Jaguars pick former Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher