Washington’s tight end position has quietly been one of the important components of its passing production in each of the last two seasons. Since Jedd Fisch arrived on Montlake, a tight end has finished each season as the Huskies’ third-most targeted receiving option. Decker DeGraaf had 40 targets a year ago, and Keleki Latu had 48 in 2024. This fall, rising true sophomore Baron Naone is sure to be in that conversation alongside DeGraaf. He proved to be reliable in the passing game this spring. But his skillset extends beyond catching passes; Naone is a quality blocking tight end.
Baron Naone Two-Phase Game
Blocking Tight End
“Blocking is my main thing,” Naone said this spring. “Last year, you guys saw [Quentin Moore] a lot. I’m trying to kind of get in his role and become that true Y and then also can go down the field and catch passes too.” Naone possesses many of the same traits as Moore at the tight end position, including his size. He’s listed at 6’-4” and 263 pounds, just an inch shorter than Moore, and almost the same weight.
Naone models his blocking game after Moore and some of the characteristics he showcased along the offensive line. “His footwork for sure and just how strong his core was,” Naone said. “That’s one thing that I try to look at his game and try to replicate. And just try to sustain my blocks the best I can.”
In 2025, Moore was on the field for 268 snaps with just six total targets and one touchdown grab. With Naone, his size and physicality can provide a similar blocking presence along the offensive line. But he separates himself skillset-wise because of what he can do as a receiver.
Naone’s Receiving Skills
This spring was Naone’s first spring practice season as a Husky. He enrolled over the summer last year as a true freshman, suiting up for the first time during fall camp. In 2025, the West Linn High School alum played in seven games for Washington, including the bowl game. He totaled 36 offensive snaps but did not record any receiving statistics. During the month of April, Naone was on the field consistently as one of the top two tight ends along with DeGraaf. The true sophomore had a five-yard touchdown reception in the team’s first scrimmage in April and showcased reliable hands throughout the month.
Naone was a top outfielder for his high school baseball team in Oregon, and some of those instincts clearly translate to his receiving game as a tight end. He tracks the football like a wide receiver and runs crisp, efficient routes to get himself open against the defense.
“I think Baron has made incredible leaps and bounds,” tight ends coach Jordan Paopao said this spring. “I see Baron having a great opportunity to replace [Moore] and really own that [blocking] role with potentially an addition of down the field catching and being able to do some things in the passing game as well.”
Naone’s two-phase skillset is something that can help him develop into an every-down player at the position as his career progresses. DeGraaf was still the primary starting tight end for the duration of spring practice and should be this fall as well. But Naone provided consistent flashes of what he can provide to the offense in two different phases. Both as a quality pass-catcher, and as a reliable blocking tight end up front.
