GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman's tight end corps is under new leadership this year with Grayson Kline entering his first season as position coach after joining the staff in February.  The former Penn State player and Dartmouth assistant will head up a group that only features four players but one that holds promise for production that Furman has been long accustomed to receiving from its tight ends.
 
"Tight end has the potential to be a very solid group for us this year," said head coach Clay Hendrix this week.  "Grayson Kline took over there in the spring and is a guy who has played at a high level and looks to have done a good job with that group in the short time he has been here.
 
"We have a mix of players who can do a lot of different things — big body guys and some guys who can stretch the field."
 
One player who has shown the ability to stretch the field is Jackson Pryor (6-5, 231, R-So.), who looks to bounce back from a 2025 season that ended after only four games due to injury.  As a true freshman in 2024 he caught 16 passes for 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns en route to earning Southern Conference All-Freshman Team honors.  One of his scores came in the final minute of play and proved to be the game winner in a 17-16 road triumph at The Citadel.
 
"Jackson was a preseason All-SoCon guy a year ago who we lost early but were able to redshirt.  He's an explosive athlete who continues to get better on the blocking, in-line stuff.  Obviously we have to look for ways to get him the ball."
 
Newcomer Cameron James (6-2, 226, Fr.) has already gained attention after joining the Paladins in January following a stellar senior season at Gainesville (Ga.) High School.
 
"Cameron's along the same lines of Jackson — a really good athlete who can excel as a detached guy but who can also do a good job with some intensity in the blocking game.  He should play a bunch this year and will probably also be our long snapper."
 
Preston Ross (6-6, 252, R-Jr.) returns for his second season with the Paladins after spending his freshman year at Ball State.  He appeared in seven games a year ago.
 
"Preston had had a really good summer after some off-season surgery.  He's a big-body guy who also catches it well."
 
Nick Segarra (6-5, 254, R-So.), a transfer from Ohio, fits "more of the in-line, traditional tight end role," says Hendrix.  "Nick has been slowed a bit with injuries but will be fine.
 
"There aren't a lot of bodies in that group but we will still see some double tight end looks."
 
Furman kicks off its 2026 season on Thursday, August 27, when it entertains Anderson in a 7:00 p.m. contest at Paladin Stadium. 

Click HERE for Furman's 2026 schedule.

Paladin fans can renew or purchase new season tickets online by clicking HERE, or by contacting the Furman Box Office at 864-294-3099.

Furman's football program will take a trip down memory lane on Saturday, Aug. 8, with a practice at Sirrine Stadium in downtown Greenville from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m..  Gates are scheduled to open at 10:00 a.m. Admission is free.

Paid parking ($20 per car) for all Furman football games this season will be cashless. Fans are asked to have credit cards ready when entering Timmons Arena or Furman Chapel Lots. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple and Google pay.