Get to know 2026 signee and three-star TE Charlie Jilek
Whether you’re a diehard recruiting aficionado in need of a refresher or a casual recruiting fan needing only the particulars, this will be the series for you.
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The first national signing day for college football is Wednesday, December 3. This series will give you the chance to familiarize yourself with the next class charged with keeping Texas near the top of the college football world.
To win at a consistently high level requires talented class after talented class. The top-10 2026 class does that following a No. 1 class in 2025.
On the first national signing day, Inside Texas will offer profiles of each member of the 2026 signing class. Up next, Charlie Jilek.
The Player:
Charlie “Chuck” Jilek, TE, Portage (Mich.) Central
The Rating:
85.53 (three-star)
The Ranking:
- No. 1,364 nationally
- No. 124 linebacker in the nation
- No. 24 player in the state of Michigan
The Highlights: HERE
The Recruitment:
Jilek’s path to Texas came together quickly — and unexpectedly. He was originally committed to Central Florida, then flipped his commitment to Minnesota in October.
But in early November, everything changed when Texas jumped into the recruitment. The Longhorns entered the picture late, but they saw a major position of need in the 2026 class: tight end.
Even though Jilek was listed as a linebacker by most recruiting services, Texas targeted him as a true tight end. At 6’5”, 240 pounds, he had the exact frame, physicality, and developmental upside the staff wanted at the position. Once the staff evaluated him, they moved quickly — offering him and pushing for a visit.
Once Jilek stepped foot in Austin, the decision became easy. The atmosphere, the crowd, the facilities, and everything Texas had to offer blew him away. He committed shortly after the visit, becoming Texas’ tight end for the 2026 class.
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Chuck is also set to enroll early, giving him a chance to begin developing physically and learn the offense ahead of schedule.
The Quote:
“Once Texas offered, it was kind of a no-brainer for me. I loved the visit. Seeing the home crowd, the atmosphere, the facilities — everything Texas had to offer — it just made sense. I didn’t want to wait. I knew I wanted to be part of this class.”
The Projection:
Even though Jilek plays both tight end and linebacker in high school, he’s being brought in to play tight end at Texas. His size and length give him the potential to become a strong in-line blocker in 12 personnel, while his athleticism will allow him to contribute in the passing game.
He’s a willing blocker, physical at the point of attack, and doesn’t mind mixing it up. With time and development in Jeff Banks’ tight end room, he could become the type of versatile TE who impacts both the run and pass game.
The Final Word:
Texas had a clear position of need in the 2026 class, and Jilek fit the profile perfectly. His size, physicality, and tape made him an ideal developmental tight end target. Once Texas made the move, the fit was obvious for both sides.
The Longhorns found their tight end for the class — and Jilek found the program he wants to grow, develop, and build with.
