Position breakdown: Tight ends

Few positions have taken a hit from graduation the way tight end has for the Bulls, with two senior starters gone after each of the last two seniors. Will Bleakley and Devin Gordon weren't huge contributors to the passing game last year, combining for 15 catches for 164 yards, but they were reliable, something Jim Leavitt hopes to get from this year's unit. FIrst-year position coach Larry Scott is a former Bull himself and has brought an offensive lineman's perspective to the position. As the Bulls work to establish a traditional running game, blocking from the tight ends will be key to USF's offense.

THE STARTER: With a 64-yard catch in last year's season opener, fans expected big things from Cedric Hill, but the 6-3, 240-pounder only had 108 yards in the remaining 12 games. He steps into a starting role this year, with a versatility that allows him to move out as a wideout, creating easy mismatches. This is a guy who had touchdowns of 61 and 74 yards in the same playoff game in high school, so his pass catching should make him a more prominent target for Matt Grothe this fall.

NEXT IN LINE: Sophomore Ben Busbee is the only other tight end with college experience at the position, having fought through a shoulder injury to play in 10 games last season. His only catch last year was a key one in the win against West Virginia, and he opens the season as the No. 2 tight end. The Bulls ran nearly 300 plays in a two tight-end set last season, but I'd be surprised if that were the case again this fall, just because the options for a fourth receiver or a two-back set seem more dangerous as offensive weapons than USF's choices for a second tight end. We really haven't seen Busbee healthy yet, so the rest of this position is largely too new to know what to expect.

THE REST: Scott has had three other players to work with, starting with redshirt freshman Andrew Ketchel. He's the smallest of the tight ends, with a background from the pass-catching side, with 32 catches as a high school senior. Sophomore Shane McElwain, the former junior hockey prospect, has bounced back and forth from defensive end to tight end, but he only played one year of high school football, so he remains an intriguing prospect, still learning the game. Leavitt has had good things to say about walk-on Quincy Okolie, who put on more weight in the off-season than any player on roster. His media-guide weight of 245 is way off, but even at 230 pounds, he's added considerable weight to his frame after redshirting his first year with a broken ankle. He's from Palm Beach Central, same as McElwain, and is another raw prospect, one who caught only five passes as a high school senior but presents potential mismatches because of his 6-foot-5 frame. The Bulls have pass-catching options but need to show this position can be physical in pass protection and downfield blocking for the running game. Thoughts?

Comments

[T. Bever]

They only thing you missed, Greg, was the drops by Hill. If my memory serves "his pass catching" is inconsistent at best, even on well-thrown balls.

[T. Bever]

Oh yeah, I absolutely agree with you about the 2-TE set. Can you imagine a two-back set with Williams and Taylor, Ford and Plancher, Samuels and Williams, Taylor and Ford, Samuels and Kelly.... YEAH!!!!

[Natalie]

I'm coming down to watch the Bulls. I'm coming from S.Central PA. I traded PSU in for the Bulls a few years ago. I'll be at the WVU and Loiusville game. Next year I'm going to buy season ticket. I won't be able to make all the games but I'll make as many games that I can. I bet you didn't know you had fans coming from Harrisburg PA to watch the Bulls.

[Terry Lucas]

I traded Notre Dame in for the Bulls the day I got my acceptance letter. I'll be flying in from Phoenix, AZ... I have an alum friend flying in from LA... we are not a dime a dozen Natalie... we are the future...

[Natalie]

Wonderful. That is great. The Bulls are the future. I didn't mean a dime a dozen. I didn't think too many people outside the area were that interested. GO BULLS. What area will you in? I'll be in the 123 section. I'll be in the 115 for the WVU game. The Auburn game should be something else. I just hope we beat them. That would be great.

[Shoop]

I've always said that Rod Smith misused Cedric Hill. This guy seems like the perfect pass-catching TE. He's got the speed to beat a LB and the size to get over top a DB. Hopefully, he plays a bigger role in Gregory's offense.

[CJ Harmon]

natalie,
may your tribe increase.
I was pretty impressed with my drive from jacksonville to bulls football and basketball games! you definately have me beat. how did you come to support the bulls? did you go to the Bulls game at Penn State 2 years ago?

[Dave]

Natalie- I, too, traded Happy Valley for RJS when I moved from Erie to Tampa. While the gameday experience of USF doesn't compare to PSU, the quality of the football game itself is equal or better (plus, I really got sick of those cold, cold days. Character-builder my foot).

Anyways, I do not think that unless Ced Hill really emerges as a true threat that TE is an important position. With 8 good WRs and 4/5 good RBs, TE is a not a crucial position. What I mean to say is that while it would be nice to have a good option at TE, it is not necessary. But I would never not utilize a good weapon, so hopefully Hill emerges.

[nickdelray]

Natalie,I'm from N.J.and have followed the Bulls since day 1.BTW, are you single?

[nickdelray]

I have to also mention how great this site is,Greg Auman is the 'Best'.

[Sanjay]

Greg's blog is the best. Apparently it now doubles as a matchmaking site.

[G.A.]

Other sites may brag about 29 levels of compatability, but I apparently only need to address two levels of compatability:

1. Do you like USF?
2. Are you single?

Years from now, I'll have strangers coming up to me: "I met my husband on your blog." Just makes the job worthwhile for me.

[Natalie]

Hey, I'll be at the game, section 123. Just yell "anyone from PA" that will be me. GO BULLS. I know it's a long way from home but I enjoy the Bulls. A Bull fan from here on out.

[Bulls_8va]

I have you ALL BEAT!!! I'm flying from Japan to see USF Bulls football. lol

We'll actually, I grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, and live in Tampa. But I'm in Japan for the first four games and will fly in to see the FAU game through the end of the season. Can't wait for saturday...I'll be listening on the radio in Japan!

GO BULLS!!!

[Brian]

I know the long distance feeling. I fly down from COlumbus, OH every year for a game. Saw Pitt last year. My long distance story: I arranged for ESPN 360 on the hotel bar big screen in Bombay, India. Beat the hell out of 6 channels of cricket.

i think the ball should go to te's more

STOP RUNNING THE QB SO MUCH LET YOUR RUNNINGBACK TAKE IT ON