Alabama’s Secret Weapon is Drawing Comparisons to George Kittle and Travis Kelce

Amid Alabama’s talented receiving corps, tight end Josh Cuevas has quietly become one of quarterback Ty Simpson’s most trusted targets.

As Sports Illustrated noted, Simpson compared Cuevas’ playstyle to Travis Kelce and George Kittle, calling him a rare blend of elite route-running and physical blocking ability.

“He’s like a safety blanket,” Simpson said. “Not many tight ends can act like Travis Kelce and block like George Kittle.”

Cuevas has now claimed the starting role and through five games has 13 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns. 

“Dude’s insane,” Simpson said on Tuesday. “Dude’s got some of the best ball skills I’ve ever seen. You know, for people to say he’s a smaller guy, but he puts his face mask in people like he’s 6-foot-7, like he’s Kadyn Proctor. I’m just glad he’s on my team, to be honest with you.

Josh Cuevas’ Career Journey 

Writing this piece feels personal to me. I grew up close friends and teammates with Josh Cuevas.

He was the kind of athlete who could do it all. From a young age through most of high school, he excelled in three sports: football, basketball, and baseball.  

I still remember him dropping 20 points and 10 rebounds in a basketball game on Friday night, then catching two touchdowns the next day. He was the kind of athlete who could do it all.

Growing up in the Los Angeles area, Josh attended Campbell Hall High School.

Cuevas began his college career at Cal Poly, an FCS program, where he made an immediate impact. In 2022, he caught 58 passes for 678 yards and six touchdowns, numbers that quickly caught the attention of major Division I programs.

That breakout year led him to the University of Washington, where he joined a Huskies team that made it all the way to the National Championship. 

When head coach Kalen DeBoer took the Alabama job, Cuevas followed him to Tuscaloosa. After spending last season in a backup role, he’s now become a key piece of Alabama’s explosive offense.

Difference Maker for High-Powered Offense

Alabama’s offense has been nothing short of electric so far this season. They averaged over 41 points per game and rank among the top five nationally in total offense.

Quarterback Ty Simpson has become one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country and a true Heisman contender. He has thrown for 1,478 passing yards and 13 touchdowns so far this season. 

With Ryan Williams, widely regarded as a top-three receiver in college football, and Germie Bernard, who has already totaled 392 yards and five touchdowns, Alabama’s passing attack has become nearly unstoppable. Yet one of the most underrated pieces of their offensive success has been the tight end out of LA. 

Cuevas’s versatility perfectly complements Alabama’s explosive attack. 

“We can use him in so many different ways,” Simpson said. “And then, us asking him to do the stuff that he does is incredible. The fact that guy came so far from an FCS school to Washington to here and is playing at an All-American level. That dude, he’s my guy. I thank him every day.”  

As someone who’s watched his journey from the beginning, I couldn’t be prouder. Josh’s story is proof that small-school athletes can make it to the biggest stages of college football.

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