Former Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett is back in the transfer portal.
After spending the spring at Kansas, Burnett entered the transfer portal, which officially closed for new entries on Friday. Burnett signed with Kansas in December after three seasons at Arizona.
Burnett signed with Arizona as a four-star prospect in 2022 out of Servite High School in Anaheim, California. The 6-6, 248-pound Burnett was one of four Servite players to sign with Arizona in ‘22, along with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, quarterback Noah Fifita and linebacker Jacob Manu.
Burnett is the son of former Arizona linebacker and “Desert Swarm” member Chester Burnett, who was a Second-Team All-Pac-10 selection in 1996.
The younger Burnett played his first two seasons behind Tanner McLachlan, who was Arizona’s most productive tight end since Rob Gronkowski. After McLachlan went on to play in the NFL, Burnett had a productive spring and fall training camp and appeared due for a breakout junior season, but injuries hindered Burnett throughout the season.
Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett (88) looks up field for room to run after making a catch over the middle against Texas Tech in the third quarter on Oct. 5, 2024, at Arizona Stadium.
In eight games this season, Burnett had a career-high 18 catches for 217 yards and a touchdown. His only touchdown as a Wildcat was the 35-yard dagger score in Arizona’s upset win over 10th-ranked Utah in Salt Lake City. Burnett ended his Arizona career with 24 catches for 261 yards and a touchdown. It’s conceivable Burnett returns to Arizona, especially after offensive coordinator Seth Doege noted tight end as a position of need in the transfer portal.
Doege said tight end Tyler Powell is “probably the most improved player on the entire offensive unit” this spring and noted returner Sam Olson and Mercyhurst transfer Cameron Barmore as worthy players, but the Wildcats will likely add a tight end in the transfer portal. Arizona recently lost redshirt freshman Dylan Tapley, who entered the transfer portal.
The Wildcats are also adding freshman Kellan Ford, a 6-5, 230-pound tight end from Northern California, this summer.
“You get nervous only having three guys you feel really good about at the tight end position, because they get banged up so much,” Doege said after Arizona’s spring showcase earlier this month.
Arizona kicks off the 2025 season against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Aug. 30 in Tucson.
