While the running back depth of the team is certainly a noticeable focal point of the Gophers this year, the tight ends have depth that the Gopher football team hasn’t seen in years. The tight end group has such great depth that the coaches even recently moved freshman Gaelin Elmore from the position to defensive line. Even with the crushing injury to Duke Anyanwu in fall camp, the team still has a variety of players ready to step up and play this year.
Clearly the tight end position will be one of the focal points of the offense, and the receiving skills of the tight ends will be on full display this season. “We’ve been using a lot more 22 personnel, three tight ends, two tight ends, motioning us around, and I think that just kind of plays us in to the kind of offense we want to be. “ Maxx Williams
Kill will possibly have even more tight end influence on his offense this year. ”We played with a lot of two tight ends last year, so we may even throw three of them out there at certain times.”
Maxx Williams budding stardom is well documented, and fans should expect another stellar year from the redshirt sophomore who led the team last year in receiving yards and tied the team lead for receptions. Even with an improved receiving core, Williams will likely be the top receiving threat for Mitch Leidner. As he is still only a sophomore, it’ll be scary to see what he and Leidner can do for the next three years . After practice on Tuesday, Leidner stated what makes Maxx so special. “It’s his ability to be able to track the ball when he’s in the air, and use his big body to go up and not be pushed back or falling back when he’s going up for a catch. He’ll stick his foot in the ground, go up, and then make that catch over anybody.”
The team’s second tight end, Drew Goodger is entering his senior season. Both Goodger and Junior Lincoln Plsek are strong run blockers, and will likely be the second and third tight ends on the depth chart.
True Freshmen Brandon Lingen and Jerry Gibson are both very talented players who may make an impact right away with the team. “He’s got the speed to go and run routes, he’s got some of the best feet I’ve ever seen for a tight end, especially at his age.” Maxx Williams said about Lingen.
Kill already mentioned that Lingen will not redshirt, but the team may still redshirt Gibson. Kill said that the team has also brought Gibson out into wide receiver formations to try and teach him “as much as possible”.
Even though the 6-10 Nate Wozniak is still improving, he still should make some kind of impact this season. He has impressed in practice, and looks to be at home on the football field. The skills of Wozniak are still raw, but his size will be a nightmare for anyone with the misfortune of covering him.
“He’s a big target to have on the field, and he’s tough to tackle as well. He drives his knees really well on contact, and he’s going to a matchup nightmare for linebackers and defensive backs that want to try to cover him because he’s a big kid.”
Redshirt freshman Nick Hart has been seeing a lot of time on second team, so the team will likely use him on special teams and occasionally in offensive sets.
Of the 10 tight ends currently on the team, six are redshirt sophomores or younger. The Gophers should have plenty of tight end depth on the team for years to come.