2011 BYU Football Preview: Tight Ends
By Mitch Harper
By: Mitch Harper
Along with being synonymous with great Quarterback play, BYU Football has become well-known for its rich tradition with talented Tight Ends. Five Cougar Tight Ends have been drafted by an NFL franchise in the last 20 years. Every four years the Cougars are pumping out an NFL TE, and that stat doesn’t include the BYU TE’s who were undrafted Free Agents. Prime example, Chad Lewis who went on to be a Pro-Bowl TE for the Philadelphia Eagles. (Speaking of Lewis, in the latest Cougar Center Podcast we discussed Lewis climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for the Wounded Warrior Project. Give it a listen).
Needless to say, the Tight End position at BYU has high expectations. That’s why many were frustrated with the lack of production from the Cougar TE’s in 2010. Talent appears to be there, what was the issue? Was it former Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae? Was it the lack of a playmaker in the unit? Let’s take a look at this 2011 Tight End unit as it looks to bounce back and regain the excellence at the position that Cougar faithful have become accustomed to over the decades, and most recently in the Bronco Mendenhall era.
This is the 2nd-installment of Cougar Center’s 2011 BYU Positional Previews.
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TIGHT END PREVIEW
Starters Lost: 0
New Tight End coach: Lance Reynolds
Top Returner: Devin Mahina, 11 receptions, 118 yards, 0 Touchdowns
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PROJECTED STARTER
Austin Holt, Sophomore
Holt was one of the most highly-recruited Tight Ends in the country out of Bingham High School in 2008. In 2010, was his first year with the program coming off a mission. Had the infamous “missionary legs” and was a work in-progress during the season in a unit that saw inconsistent production; but was the best blocking TE in the group and had reliable hands catching the ball. Something that was an issue last season. Holt finished the 2010 season with four grabs for 40 yards.
Heading into 2011 with a new offensive regime under Coach Brandon Doman and Lance Reynolds over the Tight Ends, it’s very likely BYU could see a lot of similar sets to how BYU Football played during the 80’s with two, maybe even three Tight End sets. But for the time being, Holt gets our nod to be the #1 starter heading into Camp Cougar. Most reliable at this juncture and this will be his first full year in the program, mission legs no longer an issue. Holt should make great strides this season.
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KEY RESERVES
Devin Mahina, Sophomore
Like Holt, Mahina in his own right was a highly-recruited Tight End in high school out of Upland, California. A four-star recruit by many services in the 2007 Class. In 2010, was Mahina’s first season as a Cougar coming off a mission in Madagascar. Mahina was productive as the leading TE in receptions last year, but was never consistent. Issues with catching the ball were a problem for Mahina during the 2010 season. During the 2011 spring, seemed more confident and more in sync with Quarterback Jake Heaps. Once he translates the pass-catching to live-game situations could be a athletic playmaker and another big-target for Heaps to throw to at 6’6 235.
Richard Wilson, Sophomore
Coming out of Fall Camp last season Wilson was pegged as the starting Tight End. Had a terrific showing in BYU’s season-opener against Washington with three catches for 45 yards. Did have a dropped pass in the endzone of that game, but showed a knack for catching the ball and making a play upfield. Probably the best at doing that in this unit. After that Washington game however, Wilson wasn’t much of a factor the rest of the 2010 season, which led to rumors of Wilson possibly transferring. Maybe to LSU? Miami? Schools that were heavily recruiting Wilson as part of the 2009 recruiting class. But Wilson isn’t going anywhere. Right now, Wilson is currently behind the other TE’s with Coach Reynolds due to a shoulder injury that kept him out of Spring practices; but with the possibility of Three Tight End sets, don’t be surprised to see Wilson see more reps in 2011.
Matthew Edwards, Senior *Walk-On
He probably gets tired of it, but we have to mention it. Edwards is of course the grandson to BYU Legend and the man in which BYU’s football stadium is named after, and that is Lavell Edwards.
Nothing has came easy though for the grandson of the BYU legend. Edwards spent two years as a member of the BYU scout team before finally being a part of the game-day rosters last season. Saw action in two games in 2010. A dark-horse to see a significant amount of reps, but he’s no slouch and doesn’t drop the ball when it comes his way.
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RETURN MISSIONARIES
Kaneakua Friel, Sophomore (Served in South Africa)
Friel came back from his mission in Africa this winter, and the term “missionary legs” is definitely evident right now with Friel. Having served in Africa, you can’t expect anything different though. Friel used a redshirt year in the 2007 season, so that isn’t available. In 2008 saw very few reps at Tight End, in large part due to a few guys named Dennis Pitta and Andrew George. Friel was mostly used at Fullback that season. If you remember, Manase Tonga was out that season and BYU was having questions with that position, Friel saw many reps from that spot.
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2011 INCOMING FRESHMEN
Colby Jorgensen, Timpview H.S. (Provo)
Jorgensen played both sides of the ball during his career as a Timpview T-Bird. Starred at both Tight End and Defensive End. Recruited to BYU as a Tight End as of now due to his build at 6’7, 215. A likely redshirt in 2011, and plans on serving a mission after this year. One has to wonder if Jorgensen puts on some weight does he switch over to the Defensive side of the ball? If Jorgensen does stay at TE, he could be a player. Was one of the top TE performers at a Nike Combine in the summer of 2010.
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CURRENT MISSIONARIES AT THE POSITION
Bryan Sampson (Returns in 2013)
Sampson redshirted in 2010, but participated in 2011 Spring Drills and capped off his spring with the game-winning 2-point conversion grab in the Blue-White game. Leading the White squad to an exciting 18-17 win in Overtime. Sampson will leave for his mission in the Summer. Sampson, of course has a family pedigree of TE’s. Most of which played for the University of Utah. But the younger Sampson, Bryan bucked the trend and is a proud Cougar.
Matt Sumsion (Returns in 2013)
Member of the 2011 Signing Class out of Springville High School. Sumsion will go on a mission this fall prior to enrolling at BYU. Sumsion is the nephew of former BYU Offensive Line greats Brad and Bart Oates. A long, rangy player Sumsion is at 6’8 205 was a relative unknown when he committed to BYU. But when you watch his tape, he is a athletic player who is a terrific TE in goal line situations.
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REST OF THE UNIT
Marcus Mathews, Sophomore
Last season Mathews switched from WR to TE in the Spring. Statistically was one of BYU’s best TE’s in 2010 with eight catches for 136 yards. Had some issues at times catching the ball like most of the TE unit did in 2010. Mathews’ season was cut short in 2010 due to a scary lacerated spleen injury that required surgery. In Spring of 2011, Mathews appears to see more time at his original position, Wide Receiver. But still could be an option at TE/H-Back with the numerous Tight End sets BYU plans to use this season.
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So what are your thoughts on the BYU Tight Ends for 2011? Post your comments here on the site or Tweet us @Cougar_Center and your comment could be read on this week’s Cougar Center Podcast when we discuss this Tight Ends more in-depth on this week’s show.
Previous 2011 BYU Football Unit Previews:
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