Jordan has the potential to be an NFL first-rounder, the first since David Njoku (29th pick in 2017). And Mallory is arguably the best backup tight end in the conference and one of the best in the nation.

Tight End U has churned out talent like Njoku, Chris Herndon, Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham, Dedrick Epps, Clive Walford and Richard Gordon over the last 15 years.

Jordan has great physicality, speed and pass catching ability, while Mallory runs smooth routes and has great hands. Both present major mismaches for defenders, and they combined for 788 yards and four TDs last season. Those numbers should go up considerably in Rhett Lashlee's new spread/hurry-up attack that is tight end-friendly.

The comparison we'll make for Jordan and Mallory? It's not unlike the Chris Herndon/Njoku combination UM had a couple of years ago (Herndon was a fourth round NFL pick in 2018).

The backups are unproven but talented, with Larry Hodges a redshirt freshman and Dominick Mammarelli just arriving in January.

What did we see from this group in the shortened spring?

Well, Jordan was held out due to injury but will be full go when the team returns. Meanwhile Mallory showed he's a guy that could really flourish in Lashlee's offense. As for the other two scholarship tight ends that competed, Hodges remains a work in progress but is built in a mode where he can be a Herndon type that lines up at different spots to create mismatches. As of now it appears Mammarelli's best early fit would be as a run blocker, as he's a bit stiff with his routes. But that will come along with time. He's got a frame that can add a lot more weight, so he has a lot of future upside.

The bottom line here is that once Jordan (35 catches, 495 yards in 11 games last season), who is considered one of the nation's top returning tight ends, is back in action this is a formidable tight end room. Remember that under Lashlee in 2019 SMU tight end Kylen Granson had 43 catches for 721 yards and nine TDs. Lashlee has a variety of ways in which he can get tight ends the ball and the Jordan/Mallory combo could be a good antidote for anything ailing in the wide receiver room (which remains somewhat a question mark).

Here's a closer look at the talent:

LARRY HODGES, RFR

Hodges played in four games last year, earning a redshirt, and both of his short catches went for TDs. He’s got a bright future but probably won’t need to get on the field a ton this coming season with Jordan and Mallory back. Look for 2021 to be a breakout season for him, assuming Jordan turns pro early. Hodges has a ton of upside as a smooth route runner/receiver who continues to improve his physicality.

BREVIN JORDAN, JR

Jordan is a do-everything tight end who will be a favorite to win the Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. There’s just nothing he doesn’t do well. In 11 games this past season he had 35 catches for 495 yards and two TDs, and Lashlee’s new offense will continue to give him plenty of opportunities to make plays down the field. Last year Jordan built on a freshman year in which he had 32 catches for 287 yards, and he should similarly make another jump up as a junior. He’s a high level future NFL talent. He was held out this spring with a foot injury, and this fall his biggest job is to simply mesh into the new offense and show Lashlee' the variety of ways in which he can be a weapon.

WILL MALLORY, JR

Quite simply, Mallory is better than his stats. This past season he caught 16 passes for 293 yards starting eight games, but he’s a mismatch with defenders who runs great routes and makes the tough catches. What held him back was some inconsistency with the QB play. In the final three games he had the bulk of his stats: four catches for 71 yards against FIU, four catches for 93 yards against Duke and four receptions for 42 yards in the Independence Bowl. He should be able to build on those final three games in 2020 and is a great weapon along with Jordan. They’re one of the nation’s top TE tandems.

DOMINIC MAMMARELLI, FR

A true freshman, look for Mammarelli to pretty much follow in the footsteps of what Hodges did last season - playing in four games and redshirting. Mammarelli will work to add size and strength this year with an eye to making an impact once the duo of Jordan/Mallory are done at UM.

We continue to see the tight end as a major emphasis area in Lashlee's new offense. Tight End U is alive and well, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Jordan is the team’s leading receiver statistically when the season ends.

The bottom line?

The Tight End U tradition should keep going strong with Jordan and Mallory leading the way.

And if you want to peek ahead, UM already has commitments in the Class of 2021 from four-star Elijah Arroyo and three-star Kahlil Brantley.