Jahleel Billingsley: Will he Finally Breakout in 2022?

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Chase Petersen | Last updated 8/9/22

The former Alabama tight end, Jahleel Billingsley, found his way to Austin this offseason. There, he gets to team back up with former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. Under Sark, Billingsley had his most productive season as a sophomore in 2020. Where he posted 18 catches for 287 yards and 3 TDs. Not to mention the nearly 16 ypc. Jahleel will make some big plays in 2022, so let’s break him down.

High School and Recruiting:

Jahleel Billingsley was rated as the 308th overall player in his class, and the 11th ranked TE. He committed to Alabama over offers from Penn St., Auburn, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Ohio St., and many more. He played his high school ball at Phillips Academy in Chicago, IL. There he accounted for 18 catches for 337 yards and 4 TDs. I’d guess the school was very run heavy, as they had a top 310 player at receiver and didn’t get him the ball.

On Field Skills:

Billingsley is an undersized move TE that won’t see much action in-line. He is basically just a big WR, and his usage says as such. He possesses good speed for a TE, and that combined with his size makes him a matchup nightmare. Most safeties are too small to cover him, and most linebackers are too slow to cover him. Billingsley has the potential to be a fantastic chess piece over the middle of the field. If Coach Sark can find creative ways to get him matched up with LBs consistently, expect a very productive season.

Outlook for Texas in 2022:

Currently, Jahleel Billingsley is battling a lower body injury. However, he is thought to be ready for the start of the season. If healthy, Billingsley can be a big part of the Texas passing game. As I mentioned above, he can be a matchup nightmare out of the slot, either winning routes to make plays, or to draw help to open up the outside targets. Jahleel had his best season under Steve Sarkisian at Bama in 2020, with nearly 16 yards per catch. If he can keep that up, and the volume increases, expect a big season out of Billingsley in 2022.

Career Outlook:

This is a player just ripe with potential, it’s just up to him and this coaching staff to get it all out of him. He is a way too light to play tight end in the NFL right now, needing to add roughly 30 pounds. If he can’t, or doesn’t want to add the weight, he will have to prove that he is good enough as solely a pass catcher, and make it to the league as a WR. I don’t know if he is athletic enough for that, however, so his career’s future is a bit of a mystery. I hope Coach Sark, Flood, and Banks can get everything out of Jahleel, because I’d hate to have a guy this talented on my favorite team and see the talent go to waste.

Check out my other player previews here! Also, follow me on Twitter @SportTalkCenter!