Big Blue Primers is 4thandBlue’s inaugural Kentucky Wildcat Football position-by-position preview. In today’s edition we bring you a look at the wide reciever/offensive lineman fusions that are the Tight Ends. Stay tuned for plenty of breakdown and analysis from both spring practice and last season as we look ahead to this year.
The Coach
Steve Ortmayer (again lol): We see Coach Ortmayer is already making his second appearance in this series as his responsibilities extend to this position as well. Coach is going to have his hands full as he attempts to find an suitable replacement for Jacob Tamme who was an integral part of the Cats passing attack last year.
The Star (hopefully):
T.C. Drake
An athletic and good looking target at 6′6” and 235lbs Drake definitely looks the part of a dynamic combo tight end out on the field. During both his high school career and his stint at prep school he has been complimented for his blocking efforts as well as big play ability. He has seen the field outside of special teams in brief spurts in his 2 years at Kentucky and scored a memorable touchdown off a deflection against LSU which is also his only career reception. It is unfair to expect Tamme-like numbers from him but his efforts in the spring did showcase his ability to contribute in UKs offense. During spring scrimmages he demonstrated soft hands, courage going over the middle, and made a memorable catch on a half back pass to kick off the Blue-White game. If he can prove to be a decent safety valve for Hartline as well as a credible redzone/goaline threat he we help keep the tight end position legitmate in Kentucky’s offense.
The Supporting Cast:
Ross Bogue
A stout 6′5” target already 3 years into his Kentucky career, Bogue represents another seasoned but lightly used option at the position. Limited athleticism likely limits his role primarily to blocking in goaline sets and some 2 Tight End action but having another strong body at this position can’t hurt.
Maurice Grinter
It appears that after a spring spent learning the position while being held out of contact due to injury, Mo’s move to the tight end position is official. I am personally very excited about this change and I truly believe the potential exists for Grinter to make a splash here. He is a very athletic 6′3 250 and has demonstrated the ability at times to catch the ball out of the backfield, something he will need to do even more consistently at tight end. His experience backing up and starting in place of fullback John Conner due to injury the past 2 seasons will likely prove invaluable in his role as a blocker. If he takes well to the position in the fall he will definitely see back up minutes and a increased role in 2 Tight End and receiving sets.
Andre Henderson
A tall, rail thin journeyman between tight end and reciever Henderson is a local walkon who has good length and speed but does not possess the body to likely ever be a true tight end. The staff has at times complimented his pass catching skills and it remains to be seen how and if he will be utilized this year.
Tyler Sexton
Walkon who has been complimented frequently for his work ethic. Missed all of 2007 and the spring with an ACL injury. Should see time on special teams and very infrequently as a blocker.
The New Guys:
Sean Stackhouse
A big, tall target out of Jacksonville, Florida, Stackhouse comes to UK with a chance to be part of the wave of the future either at tight end or along the offensive line. Finished his senior year with 32 catches for 426 yards and 4 TDs. Likely a redshirt candidate, “anonymous” but good word has it that given the weight he reported at O-line is the likely destination but until we know for sure we’ll put him at his listed position.
Gabe Correll
This high quality walkon from Fork Union Military was originally omitted from this preview, something that I intend to fix right now. The 6′5, 230lb target with respectable 4.75 speed was originally from Anderson High School (Cincinnati, OH) where he played both football and basketball going for 11 receptions and 179 yards on the gridiron and averaging 14.5 points and 7.2 rebounds on the court during his senior year. Attended Fork Union to increase recruiting interest which he received from Penn State, U of L, and UK to name a few. Scout.com stated that UK was originally more interested in him as a defensive end but for now he is still listed with and working with the tight ends in fall practice.
The Final Word: The 2008 edition of the Kentucky Tight End position is full of unknown commodities who only have 1 career catch between them. Drake has the “primetime” look with no past success to back it up, the position can only be more than marginal this year if he steps up as no one else has the physical tools to make a huge difference early on. If Maurice Grinter truly finds a home here he can give UK another legitmate all-around player at the position. Everyone else is an assortment of role players who have a chance to contribute but won’t be giving the Wildcats anything special. Simply put, Drake and Grinter are not going to be Jacob Tamme but the blocking should be good or better from the tight end spot and if they show any ability at all to catch the ball it can only mean good things for a UK offense that will need all the recieving help it can get.
4th and Blue Power Rating: 5.5, “show me something to get excited about”
Tommorow: Defensive Backs
Tags: Andre Henderson, Jacob Tamme, Maurice Grinter, Ortmayer, Ross Bogue, Sean Stackhouse, TC Drake, Tight End, Tyler Sexton
Fork Union PG Walk-on Gabe Correll, 6′5 230, is the only freshman TE on the team. Stackhouse has reportedly been moved to OG weighing in over 260lbs now.