Mike McNeil and Ryan Hill Better Eat Their Wheaties
1 comment so far
June 28, 2007 by
The Huskers have veteran options at tight end for 2007. J.B. Phillips, Josh Mueller, and Hunter Teafatiller are all battle-tested. But they’re also all upperclassmen. Phillips and Mueller will graduate this year and Teafatiller will the year after.
Behind them are 2006 and 2007 recruits Mike McNeil and Ryan Hill. Both players are listed at under 230 lbs. That would be fine if they were linebackers, but it’s hardly ideal for a starting tight end. The Huskers will likely add a tight end or two in 2008. The hefty Tyson Hetzer will help ( a 2008 commit), but he's only one guy. That means it will be very important for McNeil and Hill to get bigger for 2008.
If not, the Huskers could well have trouble running the ball in short yardage situations and protecting the passer. There’s time. Both McNeil and Hill could weigh 250 lbs. by the start of the 2008 season. But it won’t happen by accident. These guys are going to have to hit the training table and the weights. And when school’s out? Two words – “Supersize it”.
» Enjoy this article?
Send it to your friend or get Husker news by email!
Related Stories: Offense, Tight Ends
Post a comment
darren Jun 28 07
For the reasons you listed (graduation next year and youngsters who look more like possession WR than TEs), this is an absolute NEED area for NU. I expect them to take another TE in this class, too.
Regarding the recent commit, I think Mr. Hetzer defines the word "upside" when it comes to recruiting. They took a look at his stature (6'7''!)and his basketball-playing background and bought in to his potential.