Mason Fairchild focused on 2023 after breakout season

Mason Fairchild is coming off a breakout year establishing himself as the top target at tight end. In 2022 he was named second team All-Big 12 by the coaches after catching 35 passes for 443 yards and six touchdowns.

But he was quick to admit he is already moving on from last year and focused on 2023.

The coaching staff has made a point to tell players no starting position is safe based on past performance.

“I'm coming in not even thinking about last year,” Fairchild said. “Last year doesn't matter. It's in the past. So, you got to read in your spot every single day, just in every single thing you do, whether it's in new drills, how you respond in film and all that stuff. It's still a competition. I'm trying to earn the starting spot right now.”

The Jayhawks return every tight end from last year and added Jaden Hamm from Eudora. There are seven tight ends on scholarship and this spring is giving everyone and opportunity to show what they can do.

“It's awesome,” Fairchild said. “I mean, more so, especially spring ball, getting more reps for all the other guys. They're some of the most talented guys in the room and just having an opportunity for them to shine. You got guys like Jaden Hamm and Mack Moeller coming in. They're finding their way right now, but they're going to be really solid. So, it is a lot of competition. It's a lot of fun because the better everyone is, the more competition, just iron sharpening iron. It's going to be a lot of fun for us.”

See more from Fairchild as he talks about the tight end group and how teams could focus on him this season.