Wednesday July 18, 2007

Opponents' Tight Ends

Opponents’ Tight Ends
Today would not be considered the most exciting blog ever because we have to get through tight ends week and today we will look at the opponent’s tight ends. This is not a glamour position so deal with us today.

Louisiana Monroe
The Warhawks have a very good combination at tight end with Zeek Zacharie and Mitch Doyle. Some observers in the Sun Belt Conference think Zacharie is perhaps the best pass receiving tight end in the league and Doyle might be the best blocking tight end. As a sophomore Zacharie caught 30 passes for 405 yards and two scores. Doyle is more like an offensive lineman playing tight end.

Furman
The Paladins return two of their top three tight ends from last season in Chris Truss and Larry Hedden but will miss all-conference performer Brad Bell. Bell was a very consistent player for Furman but both Truss and Hedden played last year as freshmen. Truss red-shirted as a freshman but was forced into action last season when Bell was injured. He is the favorite to win the starting job this season. Hedden red-shirted two years ago but played in nine games and started some last season.

Central Michigan
Sam Williams returns as a tight end that started five games last year as a true freshman. He caught ten balls for 120 yards a year ago and should be the number one guy coming into camp. The Chippewas do lose the other tight ends that played last season so they will depend on younger players for depth this season. Rocky Weaver was one of the highest rated players in the most recent recruiting class and he could get a look immediately. They inked three tight ends in February so this will be a young group.

South Carolina
Through the years Steve Spurrier has been known as a guy that likes to play with a fullback and a tight end. However they are used more in the max protect scheme. Seldom do Spurrier’s tight ends get involved in the passing game. In fact last year USC tight ends caught just 11 passes. Andy Boyd comes back for his sixth season after receiving a waiver from the NCAA due to his injuries. He is the most talented of the tight ends but injuries are always the concern. Robert Pavolovic is next in line in terms of experience. Nick Prochak is a high school quarterback that has made the move to tight end and looked good in the spring. Weslye Saunders was one of the highest rated tight ends in the last recruiting class.

SEC Tight End Rankings
1. Tennessee-Chris Brown might be the top tight end in the SEC this season. He is a multi-year starter and a future NFL draft pick. Brandon Warren played last year at FSU but has not been given his release. He is appealing the NCAA to be able to play this year in a special waiver. If this happens then Tennessee is set.

2. Kentucky-Jacob Tamme is the top pass receiving tight end in the league this season. A year ago he had 32 receptions for 386 yards and two touchdowns. This is a good third down threat. The Wildcats have four or five options in the passing game and Tamme is very valuable to what they do offensively.

3. Arkansas-Ben Cleveland was one of the most sought after tight ends in America and played last year as a true freshman. He will be joined this season by another highly touted prospect in Grant Freeman. By next season Arkansas could have one of the best group of tight ends in the SEC.

4. Auburn-When you draw up a tight end on paper Tommy Trott could be your model. I watched Trott closely last year against South Carolina and came away very impressed. He is vicious at the point of attack and also possesses soft hands. Cole Bennett and Gabe McKenzie are also quality players so Auburn should be excited about this group.

5. LSU-Richard Dickson started nine games as a true freshman last season and should develop into one of the best in the SEC. Dickson was one of the top freshmen in the league last season and should contend for all-conference honors. Keith Zinger is another very good tight end.

6. Florida-Aaron Hernandez is the future for the Gators. You should not be surprised to see he is the top tight end in the country and should get a long look very early in his career. There is not a lot of experience here outside of Tate Casey. Cornelius Ingram is a former quarterback and is athletic but Hernandez should be able to break through.

7. Alabama-Travis McCall returns as the starter for the Tide but this group is fairly deep and experienced. Nick Walker and Charles Hoke are also considered good blockers and have played a lot so far in their careers.

8. Vanderbilt-Brad Allen returns as a starter here. He is a junior that has been pretty good so far. Jake Bradford and Justin Green are two good looking young tight ends.

9. Georgia-The Bulldogs must replace Martrez Milner but have recruited well here. Tripp Chandler, Watson Coleman, NaDerris Ward, Aron White and others will hope to ease the loss.

10. South Carolina-See above.

11. Mississippi State-Eric Butler returns for his senior campaign to end a solid career. There is a drop off after Butler though.

12. Ole Miss-Robert Lane is a former quarterback that looked OK in his transition. David Rue was a fairly highly thought of prospect and Robert Hough started five games a year ago.

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