HawgBeat - What Arkansas is getting in TE transfer Var'Keyes Gumms
HawgBeat analyzes North Texas transfer TE Var'Keyes Gumms.
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The Arkansas Razorbacks gained a transfer commitment at a position of need Sunday when North Texas transfer tight end Var'Keyes Gumms announced he is choosing the Hogs.
All it took was a visit to Fayetteville over the weekend for Gumms to choose Northwest Arkansas as his new home. The native of Houston provides Arkansas with experience in a rather young tight end room.
Leading the group is super senior Nathan Bax, who will be the undeniable top voice in tight end coach Morgan Turner's room. After Bax is redshirt freshman Tyrus Washington, true freshman Luke Hasz and true freshman Shamar Easter, who didn't go through spring ball.
With all of that said, it's pretty clear that head coach Sam Pittman needed to add some more experience to that group, especially with new offensive coordinator Dan Enos utilizing the tight end much more than the Hogs have the past three years.
As a redshirt freshman for North Texas in 2022, Gumms set program single-season records for a tight end with 34 receptions and 458 receiving yards. He also hauled in five touchdowns during his First Team All-Conference USA (Coaches) campaign.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound tight end earned a 71.9 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus last season. He played 444 total snaps and graded out with a 77.0 in the passing game and a 53.0 in run blocking.
Gumms caught at least three passes in seven of North Texas' 14 games. His best outing was when he hauled in three passes for 92 yards and a touchdown against UTSA on Oct. 22.
According to PFF, Gumms' best game was when he earned a 93.8 offense grade and a 93.5 passing game grade after catching four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 15. He also graded out with a season-best 79.9 in the run blocking category during the 47-27 win over the Bulldogs.
Gumms played alongside fellow tight end Jake Roberts, who Arkansas hosted in the January during the previous transfer window. Roberts chose the Baylor Bears, but it seems like the Razorbacks landed the better of the two Mean Green transfers. The Athletic had Gumms ranked as its seventh best available transfer in the portal prior to his commitment.
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