Where Are the Tight Ends Hiding?
7 comments so far
June 27, 2007 by
I’m the first guy to slam Frank Solich for poor recruiting but in his short time as head coach he landed some very highly touted tight end recruits (Chris Septak, Matt Herian, and Josh Mueller come to mind). So with the recruiting getting so much better at Nebraska since Solich’s departure and with the offense featuring the pass much more frequently, you’d think that the tight end rich Huskers would only get richer. You’d think.
But of all of the big-time recruits under Callahan, none of them have been a tight end. You can understand why Callahan didn’t get a big-time tight end prospect in 2004, he’d just arrived. You could even argue that in 2005 the top prospects might have seen a logjam at the position and gone elsewhere. But there’s no good reason in the last two seasons for Nebraska not to have landed more help at tight end.
It raises the question, how badly do the Huskers want a receiving threat at tight end? A great blocking tight end prospect is never going to get four stars from recruiting services. A guy like J.B. Phillips can get three tops.
So maybe recruits like David Harvey, Mike McNeil and Ryan Hill tell us that the Huskers aren’t necessarily killing themselves to find the next Kellen Winslow. Instead, they’ll plug in the William Washington or Matt Shaw type player and get their points with other weapons. It might not be a terrible move but it’s hard to be excited about it either. Especially when Missouri stockpiles stud tight ends like ICBMs during the Cold War.
Star, sleeper, or whatever, the Huskers definitely need to find some tight ends for the future (Tyson Hetzer's recent commitment helps on that score). The depth chart looks thin after this season. Maybe they should call Frank Solich for some recruiting advice. Did I just write that?
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Tyler Jun 27 07
Steve,
I agree with you. BC seems to be getting the talent in with the exception of TE. Perhaps Tyson is his first diamond in the rough. His stature is amazing, but his CC coach's comments were pretty weird and made me wonder.
After QB, I thought TE was perhaps the most important aspect of the WCO. So the delay in getting that great TE seems tardy. You have to conceded that M Herian could've been the guy, save the injury. They seemed to have great hopes for M McNeil that have yet to materialize. Coffman or Rucker from MU would have been nice. Though we contained them last year, I'm skeered of them again this year.
We'll see what happens. I'm so jacked for the season!
doombob Jun 27 07
Next year's TE offers look more promising. But Coach C. seems to be looking for diamonds in the rough rather than outright top tier players. They went after a few good guys this year, but nothing seemed to materialize. It was like they weren't trying hard enough.
alex Jun 27 07
sure we haven't landed tight ends, but for me it is no mystery...
although herian and mueller were each 4-star recruits, they were both in state prospects. that said, it was no great surprise to see them sign with NU (sorry mr. solich).
what is more, in spite of herian and mueller's talent, each has failed to meet his 4-star expectations at NU. case in point, herian went from frosh phenom to undrafted free agent with Tampa. stories like that aren't exactly a ringing endorsement for all those TE prospects.
perhaps if mueller has a banner year the trend will change. unless and until that happens, however, i think we can expect more of the same. so long as the TEs aren't gettnig the ball, in a prospect's eyes we might as well be running the option.
Scott Jun 27 07
I can think of no better matchup problem than a linebacker that has to cover a quick or speedy tight end. That can really give a defense fits. Hopefully someone can step up this year and raise a few eyebrows.
RJ Jun 27 07
I am sold on these coach's ability to see needs and then go out and get the guys they feel will best meet those needs. Having said that, It is a mystery why the TE position has not been more of a priority. As some one said earlier, I also thought the TE played a sig. part in the WCO. But like I said, these coaches have proven to me (and my humble opinion) that they know what they are doing.
Alex, I wonder if Herian would not have lived up to the hype had he not completely shattered his leg...I dunno; maybe that had something to do with it.
Gregory Jun 27 07
I just skimmed over the Rivals top 100 and saw 7 Tightends, which are actually more than what I thought there would be. But, it looked like 4 were commits- to the usual suspects. All this, I'm sure you're well aware of, Steve.
Of that relatively subjective list, 3 are still available.
Searching for perspective, it occurs to me that you can get productivity at Tightend as long as you have a sure handed kid who doesn't mind too much getting hit. In the forseeable future, Nebraska still will have a mix of "stone hand" blockers and guys who (while not go to) can get you a first down, or maybe a catch in the Red Zone.
No question though, we all thought, that if Callahan can nab highly touteds a WR, RB and QB, which was obvious by Feb of '05, Tightend should be "in the wheel house" of successful recruiting.
I look at Hunter Teafatiller for this year, as a guy who could be a reliable receiver, approaching a Tracy Wistrom type catcher.
BHFGamer Jul 20 07
As one who has been following recruiting closly for the last several years I cant tell you that this class HAS gone after AND LANDED the coveted **** TE recruit. The Jermey Shockey type that can change an entire game single handedly. And simialrly to Solich that didnt really pan out to be stars. Although I'm sure BC would love to have a Tracey Wistrom right now it just hasnt happened, or has it (I'll get back to that). Yes they landed Justin Tomerlin who was a **** out of Juco but a ***** out of HS. He had the perfect frame 6'6" 265 4.6 but he lacked the heart, desire and commitment it takes to make an impact at the D1 level. The fact is this staff has recruited long and hard for the BEST TE's in the country every year and has mysteriously not been able to material mcuh from a posistion I have personally heard our coaches call the most important reciver on the field.
With that said Callahan HAS signed 2 under the radar type TE's in David Harvey and Mike McNiel. Both of these guys were recogniozed by Tom Lemming as potential impact type players. While the news front on Harvey has been quite since his arrival 2 years ago the same cant be said about Mike McNiel. Tom lemming was quoted as saying dont be suprised if this kid comes on and makes some noise, LAST YEAR. Steve Sipple of the LJS said "they have Mike McNiel who the LOVE, He would have played last year but he was hurt." Funny he wasnt available for the Spring Game either (shoulder surgury I think). Look for him to make some noise and add another element to this offense we havt seen.
Ryan Hill ended up as a *** but he is fast and put up big numbers his last 2 years of High School. Hetzer has measurables that our IDEAL and for him to have never played a down of college football yet still be considered for a **** shoudl tell you something about what our coaches think of him.
Time will tell if we have the horses to take this offense to the next level but certainly look for our coaches to land some futre NFL TE's. If they havent already.
Go Big Red!