Position Breakdowns: Tight Ends
5 comments so far
April 24, 2008 by
Outlook: The Huskers have neither a lot of size nor a lot of experience at tight end going into the fall. This group lacks the stout blocking tight end of years past like Aaron Golliday or William Washington who seemed like extra linemen. Playing time may still be very much up for grabs going into the fall based on who can add the most good weight over the summer.
Incumbent: Senior walk-on Hunter Teafatiller is the most seasoned returning player at tight end, appearing in ten games. At 230 lbs., he’s one of the heavier players at the position but that hardly makes him an imposing figure physically when tight ends can often go 260 lbs. or more.
Rising Star: Mike McNeil appeared in seven games a year ago and is thought to be the most naturally gifted receiver of the bunch. Many believe he could make a big splash in the passing game this season. At 225 lbs., he’s still undersized for blocking purposes.
In-The-Mix: Walk-on Dreu Young appeared in eight games a year ago and seems likely to get on the field this season. At 220 lbs., he’s definitely skinnier than you’d like to see.
Enigma: Freshman Ryan Hill redshirted in 2007 and at 230 lbs. is among the bigger tight ends in the group. He was recruited for his receiving skills but if he can continue to develop physically he could force the coaches to use him in short-yardage situations as blocker.
Odd Man Out?: Sophomore walk-on Ben Tasa has neither distinguished himself as a receiver nor bulked up to where he’s at an advantage physically over the other tight ends. As much as any player, he’d benefit from a big summer in the weight room and at the training table.
On The Horizon: At 245 lbs., junior newcomer Tyson Hetzer could contribute immediately as the biggest tight end in the group, but injuries have slowed him down and could put him too far behind in terms of learning the offense to see the field. True freshman Ben Cotton arrives in the fall but at 217 pounds would clearly benefit from a redshirt year to bulk up.
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Doug Williams Apr 24 08
I'm puzzled by the degraded state of the tight end position. Sean Watson developed fantastic tight ends at Colorado, and that was one of the reasons I was so happy with his joining the staff last year. And, while realizing these things take time, I'm a little concerned how little development we've seen at this position since then.
carlinthemarlin Apr 24 08
two things:
1. The trend towards smaller Tight Ends who are more receivers than blockers has been going on for a few years, with people like Dallas Clark running around the 230 range and being very good Tight Ends. Plus, with the emphasis on speed you see everywhere, Tight Ends are usually going up against 230 pound LB's instead of 250-260 pound LB's. This makes it less necessary to have a huge tight end for blocking purposes only. It doesn't mean you don't want a guy who can carry 260, it just means that you want the athleticism more.
2. This offense doesn't gain much by having a Tight End that is essentially an extra lineman. If the Tight End isn't a receiving threat, then there's really only one thing you can do with him, and that's block. This offense favors versatility. It relies on having options on every play, and if you take one of those options away by putting an eligible receiver out there who isn't much of a receiving threat, you're crippling your offense. In the option, a blocking Tight End helps your offense because it gives you good blocking with the ability to get down field a little better than a lineman. In the West Coast offense, it takes away an eligible receiver. Unless you have a Martin Rucker type who can play at 260 and still be an effective receiver, it's not worth putting the size alone on the field (obviously this changes somewhat in goaline and short yardage sets, but then you can generally afford the loss of an eligible receiver).
That being said, someone needs to step up out of this group. My money's on Hetzer or Ryan Hill. McNeill seems like a slowish but good receiver who doesn't have the attitude necessary to be a blocker, and I wonder if he'll ever live up to the expectations some had of him. Hill is a good athlete with good size. Cotton, who I've heard is actually up to the 230 range, is a crazy good athlete who I think might be our Tight End of the future, but I doubt he's ready to start as a true frosh.
Austin Apr 24 08
I don't get it... it seems like we have a lot of receiving tight ends that were recruited for the West Coast offense, but now this article is saying that we want big tight ends who can also block. I take it the bigger tight ends help in the run game. But Watson still runs a West Coast offense with some spread in it...both offenses that use receiving tight ends more...why would he want big tight ends now? Are the Huskers really going to run that much this year that they would rather have blocking tight ends over receiving tight ends? It seems every position is slimming down and getting quicker, except the tight ends.
Steve Apr 24 08
Having 230 lbs. tight ends as receiving threats can be great on 1st and 2nd down and on 3rd and long. But on 3rd and 1, you really want your team to be able plow forward for a yard with two tight ends. In those critical situations, give me the big boys. Not every tight end needs to be 260, but when they're all 230 or less, I'd worry about taking on defensive ends.
Greg Morrow Apr 26 08
I don't know how accurate this is, but the current official website has Hill at 245#, Young at 240# and McNeil tipping 240#. Like listed heights, these could be an exaggeration. (Been known to happen.) If true though, then Nebraska has a young corps of "prototypes." Like almost all positions, Callahan reached for too many JC's, Hetzer being the last, with Pelini graciously honoring the scholarship offer. Of course, Callahan's last two classes corrected that, with Hill, Young and McNeil. They're still young, its walkon Teafatiller's chance to step up, like how he showed potential, in '06. I thought he was going to have a good '07, but then I thought the whole team was, too...
Aaron Golliday- 8 career nabs 93 yards, two TD's. I don't think William Washington had a career reception. I only mention those guys, because every opponent knew these guys were blockers. If you want to go "jumbo" you can always use extra tackles, same difference.
Like I've mentioned before, Callahan's last two classes were his most JC free and that young talent will show up- this year and the next. One positive legacy.