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Gumms eventually showed why he garnered early attention from the likes of the Longhorns and Tigers. He was one of the best young tight ends in the country last season, breaking North Texas single-season records for receptions (34) and receiving yards (458) by a tight end. His five touchdown catches were one shy of tying the school record. Pro Football Focus gave him a 71.9 overall grade on 444 offensive snaps and he earned first-team All-CUSA honors from the league’s coaches. The Athletic and College Football News named him a second-team Freshman All-American. That kind of production made Gumms a prime candidate to hit the transfer portal and pursue better opportunities, especially after North Texas fired Littrell, but he originally chose to stick around and play for new head coach Eric Morris. He discussed that decision in an interview with the Mean Green Show on Dec. 20. “I can feel the energy…when he goes out to the public and even when he came in for the talk with us,” Gumms said. “I felt the energy that he was going to bring and I feel like he was a great fit for here, so I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m staying.’ I trust what he’s going to do and I trust that who he’s going to bring in is going to produce and change this thing around and get stuff started around here at North Texas.” As the Mean Green prepared to begin spring practice, Morris talked about Gumms being a key piece to what he hoped to do offensively. “Gumms is perfect for what we want to do and is someone we can keep on the field,” Morris said before spring drills began. “He is skilled enough to play wideout and is strong enough to play in the core as a tight end.” However, just a few minutes after tight ends coach Chris Gilbert talked about him being part of North Texas’ plans on March 23, Gumms announced his intent to enter the transfer portal when the spring window opened April 15. It was a situation reminiscent of a couple of former Arkansas football players. Defensive end Jordan Domineck announced he would return for his super senior season with the Razorbacks only to change his mind about a month later and enter the transfer portal. He ended up landing with Colorado. Read more: https://www.bestofarkansassports.com/arkansas-football-north-texas-tight-end-varkeyes-gumms-transfer-portal-2023/

I'm looking at our arsenal at the tight end position and I'm salivating. An example or two? Asher Alberding listed at 6-3 259 and not fat? Actually lean? Jake Roberts, listed at 6-5, 250? Wow dude looks cut up and lean this year. Varkeys Gumms, 6-3, 230 and perhaps the best athlete of them all? Christian Lee at 6-3, 214 good hands and a poor man's Andy Blount? Super talent at the position and Roberts played in 13 games last year and had 98 yards TOTAL on 11 receptions. That's not enough! The others all played last year and had no receptions. That's unacceptable. https://meangreensports.com/sports/football/stats/2021