2008 Position Breakdown: Tight End

2008 Position Breakdown: Tight End

Position Overview: Tight ends were never a significant means of production during the Bill Callahan regime. While this partly had to do with the fact that there were few dangerous options at the position – especially after Matt Herian went down to injury – it also represented a Callahan preference to throw the ball to wide receivers and running backs. How will this change with Shawn Watson calling the shots on offense? Time will tell.

Though this isn’t a position stocked with talent, sophomore Mike McNeill has turned the heads of the coaching staff as a potential difference maker in the passing game. McNeill brings speed to the position not seen since Herian’s glory days. Whether he can be a breakout weapon in the passing game remains to be seen.

Likely backing McNeill will be senior Hunter Teafatiller. Teafatiller has shown good hands on the field, but questionable judgment off of it. Assuming he can show some more maturity, Teafatiller is the Huskers’ most complete option at tight end. Behind McNeill and Teafatiller are sophomore Dreu Young and redshirt freshman Ryan Hill. Both are fairly unknown qualities, though Young did have one catch last year and reportedly had a strong spring.

Reason for optimism: McNeill, Hill and a few true freshmen (see “New Blood” below) raise Husker hopes that this position has a brighter future ahead. McNeill especially could be a breakout performer in 2008 and may provide match up problems for opposing defenses.

Reason for concern: From Todd Millikan to Gerald Armstrong to Johnny Mitchell to Sheldon Jackson to Tracey Wistrom, the Cornhuskers always possessed a legitimate threat at the tight end position. However, since Matt Herian’s unfortunate leg injury, NU tight ends have had nothing more than a minor role in the offense. Though there is some young hope, a talent upgrade is still needed here.

New blood: Ben Cotton was headed to Louisville until his pop got a nice job offer in Lincoln. The result was two Cottons for the price of one. Expect the younger Cotton to redshirt while hitting the weight room in 2008. Junior college transfer Tyson Hetzer enrolled to NU in January, but missed spring practice (and will miss at least part of Fall Camp) due to a knee injury. If healthy, Hetzer will bring some good size to the position. Kyler Reed, a true freshman out of Kansas is listed as a fullback on the team’s fall roster, but may add some athleticism to the tight end spot as well.

What to expect in ’08: There’s really nowhere to go but up for the Husker tight ends. However, if receiving threats do emerge, one only need look as far as Columbia, Missouri to see how much of an impact strong tight ends can have on an offense. McNeill’s progress will ultimately dictate how successful this position is in 2008.