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BYU Football: Athlon Sports lists Matt Bushman as a Top 10 Tight End

By Shaun Gordon

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 02: Andraez Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers breaks up a pass to Matt Bushman #89 of the Brigham Young Cougars during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 02: Andraez Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers breaks up a pass to Matt Bushman #89 of the Brigham Young Cougars during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Matt Bushman is on Athlon Sports’ list of the Top 15 Tight Ends for next season, but he’s got some work to do to earn that high placement.

The hype train is building for BYU Football’s Freshman All-American.

Athlon Sports just released their Top 15 Tight Ends for 2018, and coming in at No. 9 on that list is Matt Bushman. The Cougars will play against two other tight ends on the list. Utah State’s Dax Raymond came in at No. 8, and Washington’s Hunter Bryant got the No. 6 spot.

It shouldn’t come as much surprise that Bushman is considered one of the best at his position nationwide, but a Top 10 ranking is a testament to both his production last season and his expectations for this season.

Last year, Bushman led the Cougars in both receptions (49) and yards (520), and he also tied for the team lead with three receiving touchdowns.

He was arguably the only bright spot for a dismal BYU offense, and he earned Freshman All-American honors from three different organizations (USA Today, FWAA, 247Sports) for his stellar play.

His freshman campaign won’t earn him any guarantees as a sophomore, though.

New Cougar Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes entered this offseason with a clean-slate mindset. Every player is starting out on equal footing, regardless of how they’ve performed or acted off-the-field previously.

And there’s one area in particular where Grimes wants to see Bushman improve – his blocking.

Last year, the Cougars used the freshman almost exclusively as a route-runner. Grimes, on the other hand, values flexibility. That means he’ll need Bushman to be able to block as well as catch, otherwise he’ll only see time in passing situations.

With Bushman’s skill, the Cougars need him to be able to play nearly every down. It’s up to him to prove he’s versatile enough to do just that.

If he can, there may be more All-American awards in his future.

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