No. 56 Overall: Boerkircher Is the Selection

Apr 24, 2026 at 08:57 PM

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars stayed patient early Friday.

They also stayed offensive, using their first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft – their first selection on Day 2 – to continue building their offensive skill and blocking.

Nate Boerkircher, a tight end from Texas A&M, on Friday was selected by the Jaguars No. 56 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft – the 24th selection of Round 2. That was the Jaguars' earliest selection entering the draft and they opted not to trade up early in the draft.

Boerkircher (6-feet-5, 245) played 2020-2024 at Nebraska and 2025 at Texas A&M. He caught 38 career passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns, including 19 for 198 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.

Boerkircher became the third player from Texas A&M selected by the Jaguars in the NFL Draft, the first since safety Antonio Johnson (Round 5) in 2023.

The Jaguars did not have a selection in Thursday's Round 1, having traded the selection to move up and select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter No. 2 overall (Round 1) in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Jaguars have 10 selections remaining in the '26 draft: No. 81 overall (Round 3), No. 88 overall (Round 3), No. 100 overall (Round 3), No. 124 overall (Round 4), No. 164 overall (Round 5), No. 166 overall (Round 5), No. 203 overall (Round 6), No. 233 overall (Round 7), No. 240 overall (Round 7), No. 245 overall (Round 7).

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COLLEGE STATION, TX - November 15, 2025 - Tight end Nate Boerkircher #87 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. Photo By Evan Pilat/Texas A&M Athletics

Evan Pilat/Texas A&M Athletics

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COLLEGE STATION, TX - December 20, 2025 - Tight end Nate Boerkircher #87 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. Photo By Chris Swann/Texas A&M Athletics

Chris Swann/Texas A&M Athletics

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NOTRE DAME, IN - September 13, 2025 - Tight end Nate Boerkircher #87 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the game between the Notre Dame Tar Heels and the Texas A&M Aggies at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, IN. Photo By Sydney Stevenson

Sydney Stevenson/Texas A&M Athletics

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Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher (49) runs in a touchdown ahead of North Dakota defensive back Ethan Ball (35) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska defeated North Dakota 38-17. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

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Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher (49) celebrates as he exits the field following the team's victory over Indiana in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

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Colorado's Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig (7) upends Nebraska's Nate Boerkircher (87) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska defeated Colorado 28-10. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

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Chris Swann/Texas A&M Athletics

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Texas A&M's Nate Boerkircher (87) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

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Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) makes a touchdown catch against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

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Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) celebrates his touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher, left, runs past Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter (40) during the first half an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) catches a pass for a touchdown as South Carolina linebacker Justin Okoronkwo (17) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)