Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones tight end Gabe Burkle (84) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the first quarter during the Pop Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
AMES — Cerebral. Competitive. Uncompromising.
All of those words aptly describe Iowa State junior tight end Gabe Burkle, who saw his role dramatically expand last season as significant injuries struck Ben Brahmer, Tyler Moore, and Cooper Alexander.
“(The) injuries sucked,” said the 6-6, 260-pound Burkle, a former Cedar Rapids Prairie standout who caught his first career touchdown pass in the Cyclones’ 42-41 win over Miami (Fla.) in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. “It was tough to get over that, but we had to work through it as a team and as a position group. But they did a great job helping us, watching me during practice, watching the other guys during practice, giving me pointers and watching extra film with me and telling me what they saw.”
What ISU — which seeks to build off its first 11-win season in program history — sees in Burkle is an every down tight end. He’s adept at blocking, elite at route running, and blessed with good hands. He caught multiple passes in six of the Cyclones’ final seven games last season and is poised to help headline a room that, when healthy, is among the best in the Big 12.
“What Gabe Burkle did in the last four games (last season) — I thought he was playing maybe as good as any tight end in the country, both form a blocking standout and obviously his pass catching ability,” said ISU head coach Matt Campbell, whose team began spring practice on Tuesday. “Especially in tight windows, he was able to do some really special things.”
Now that Brahmer — a freshman All-American in 2023 — is fully healthy, and Moore is working toward being in the same situation, Burkle’s all-around ability should help give quarterback Rocco Becht an array of accomplished tight end targets. That’s especially important since the Cyclones bade farewell to NFL-ready receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins.
“With Ben being back and Gabe, they’re kind of like a one-two punch,” Becht said.
Add Alexander and Moore to the mix, and second-year offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Taylor Mouser can operate from the full gamut of formations.
“I’m thinking that room has a chance to be really, really special (this) year with the depth that we have,” said Mouser, who helmed an offense that ranked among the top-20 nationally in Toal plays spanning 20 yards or more last season. “All of this guys are probably as big and fast as they have been and the benefit, or the silver lining in those guys being hurt is they were able to spend a lot of time with (strength) coach (Reid) Kagy. Those guys are pros. (They) had the highest GPA on the team, so no big deal there. Those guys do everything the right way and they’re a blast to be around.”
Brahmer, Burkle and Moore all attained Academic All-Big 12 honors last season. Alexander was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. But only Burkle managed to stay healthy athletically among that esteemed group last season. Now that they all are — or are close to getting there — they feel like the sky’s the limit in terms of their collective production.
“We all have the skillset to go out there and block when we’re asked to, and to go out there and run routes when we’re asked to,” said Moore, a senior from Johnston who’s battled injuries his entire career. “I feel like we’re gonna see a lot of personnels where we’re all mixed in, not really showing the defense who’s doing what at any point.”
Burkle’s been fortunate to remain relatively healthy for two full seasons as a Cyclones after redshirting in 2022. That — along with his wide-ranging abilities — makes him especially important to an offense that will strive to operate more consistently in the 2025 season.
“He’s one of the best on the ball blocking tight ends, one of the best contested catch tight ends, and he’s the smartest guy we have probably in the building,” Mouser said. “(He) and Ben Brahmer, and obviously Tyler Moore are guys that I expect to elevate their leadership ability on our offense; to push everyone else and make everyone else better.”
Burkle’s primed to take on that role and share it with others.
“It’s exciting to know we’ve got a lot of experience back and a lot of talent there, as well,” he said.
