2016 Leatherneck Football Preview - Tight Ends

[ST_Lawson]

Tight Ends

Now we’re to the tight ends. Honestly, this isn’t a position that has been used much at Western (outside of as an extra blocker) for the last few years. I think the last one that got any significant numbers was probably Matt Warner who played 44 games between ‘06 and ‘09 and racked up 39 receptions, 5 TDs, and 762 total yards in that time. The last really good receiving TE was probably J.R. Niklos who played 32 games between ‘99 and ‘01, amassing 80 receptions for 1,235 yards and 8 TDs and was eventually picked up as an UDFA in the NFL and played a few years around the league and NFL Europe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._Niklos).

So, enough about the past, where are we at now? Here are the current TEs on our roster:

#81 Junior Tony Harper - http://goleathernecks.com/roster.aspx?r ... h=football
#87 Junior Cal Breedlove - http://goleathernecks.com/roster.aspx?r ... h=football
#83 Sophomore Adam Conrady - http://goleathernecks.com/roster.aspx?r ... h=football
#83 Sophomore Tyler Slamans - http://goleathernecks.com/roster.aspx?r ... h=football
#48 R-Freshman Jackson Riley - http://goleathernecks.com/roster.aspx?r ... h=football
#88 Freshman Chris Age - http://goleathernecks.com/roster.aspx?r ... h=football

Stats are a little harder to look at when you’re talking about tight ends, mostly because they’ve really just been used as an extra body on the line to block lately.
Last year, we had two tight ends who had any catches, and they weren’t many, and both were seniors: Larry Harris and Taylor Hill

So, here’s the rundown for each of our current guys, where they came from and what we might be able to expect.

Tony Harper (6’4”, 225lbs) - Transferred to Western this summer after having spent 3 seasons at Pitt. He redshirted in ‘13, played in 7 games in ‘14 (on special teams and as a reserve TE), and did not play in ‘15 (http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sport ... 52933.html). He has two years of eligibility remaining and is one of only 3 TEs that we currently have that have actual in-game experience.

Cal Breedlove (6’1”, 265lbs) - Transferred to Western last year after having spent 2 seasons at Northern Illinois. He redshirted in 2013, played in one game in 2014 as a D-lineman and had one sack for 4 yards (and one other assisted tackle). He started the 2015 season at Western as D-lineman but switched to Tight End. A bit short for a receiving TE, but has the weight to contribute as a blocker.

Adam Conrady (6’5”, 245lbs) - played in all 13 games last season as a true freshman, putting in significant time on special teams. Tallest TE on the roster...might work well as more of a receiving TE.

Tyler Slamans (6’3”, 230lbs) - redshirted his freshman year (‘14), had a season-ending knee injury during fall camp and missed the entire ‘15 season.

Jackson Riley (6’4”, 235lbs) - redshirted his freshman year (‘15)

Chris Age (‘6’4”, 225lbs) - will be a freshman in ‘16

So, there’s not really a lot to go off of in terms of who might start and who won’t. I’d imagine that Tony Harper probably was sold on getting playing time, so we’ll probably see him on the field a decent amount. Beyond that...it’s really up in the air. Not even sure if the freshman Age will be redshirted or not...I’ve heard good things about him and if he really impresses the coaches during the summer training camp, then it’s possible he’ll see playing time this season.

My guess though (and it really is just a guess at this point) is that we’ll see Harper and Breedlove on the field at various times during regular offensive play, depending on the needs of the play (extra receiver vs extra blocker). Conrady, Slamans, and Riley will get time on special teams, and Age will be redshirted this season.

Feel free to disagree, however...as I said, this isn’t an area we’ve done much with in the past, and it’s one that is a bit more difficult for me to evaluate.

[Leatherneck57]

Conrady had a GREAT spring and will be a big target along side Harper. Conrady will see a lot of balls thrown his way as well as Harper.

Harper is actually 250 but let's not forget UCF transfer Joe Turk. He goes 6'3 260 and will also be used as a FB And so will Slamans. We have some flexibility with those 2 that we didn't have this time last year. You will see 3 or 4 TE's on the field at the same time in Coach Fisher's offense.

And finally...don't be surprised if freshman Chris Age doesn't make an immediate impact this season! Big kid, big target and quick! Plus all the weights lists were weights listed while they were being recruited. I'm sure these boys are going to be bigger going into the season...

[ST_Lawson]

Great input....3-4 TEs on the field at the same time would be pretty crazy...haven't seen something like that in a while.

Yea, I completely forgot about Turk since he's not listed on the roster yet. There is a Joe Turk in the directory though, so that's likely him.

Joe Turk, TE
Turk received the UCF Hammer Award one week last year (awarded to the special teams player of the week for the team) following their game against Houston. He could very quickly make an impact on the power of the offense.

[ST_Lawson]

And Turk's roster page has been added now: http://goleathernecks.com/roster.aspx?r ... h=football