Spring Preview: Bray and McDonald Lead Deep Tight End Room

Youngstown State’s tight end room quietly became one of the most interesting position groups on the roster last season. What started as a two-man rotation quickly changed when injuries opened the door for unexpected contributors. Alex McDonald and Micheal Manna stepped up in a big way, combining for key receptions and touchdowns while establishing themselves as legitimate weapons in the offense. Now heading into 2026, YSU returns a strong core at the position with Austin Bray, McDonald, and Manna leading the way. But the real intrigue may come from the next wave of players. Maddox Bloomgren, Alex Reese, and Max Welter all bring size, athleticism, and potential to a tight end room that suddenly has more depth than expected. In this episode of the Penguin Nation Podcast, we break down: The surprise breakout from Alex McDonald • Micheal Manna’s emergence and future role • Why Austin Bray could still be a key piece of the offense • The dark horse tight ends pushing for playing time • Why tight ends could play a bigger role in the offense in 2026 Plus, we debate who will lead the tight end room in receiving and whether a breakout season could be coming from this group. Sponsor: https://www.amysguarantee.com/