Tight Ends/H-Backs

When you look at the traditional spread offenses the Tight End has made a major transition from the old school style blocking tight end that lined up next to the offensive tackle.  They are required to do so many other things.  With no fullback the tight end is more of a Hybrid and often called the H-back.   Gus Malzahn has mentioned that he would want the ability to take a tight end and move him out wide, causing matchup problems for the defense.   A pass receiving tight end can be a major threat either as a move the chains receiver or as a guy that can get into the endzone.  But ultimately, in the Gus Malzahn offense, the priorities remain the same as the traditional tight ends – the ability to block for the runners.

Kedric Murry (6’3 265 RSR) has moved to offensive tackle.  Murry was a more traditional style tight end and could be a solid blocker not only in the run game but also when kept in to help protect the quarterback in the passing game.  Murry may still see time at Tight End this fall depending on the development of other linemen.

   

Murry and Anthony Kincy (6’0 235 SR) both had 9 catches last fall but Kincy had 91 yards receiving compared to Murry’s 38.  Kincy has the build to be that H-back that can play the Tight End slot and also perform the duties of a fullback.  Kincy must improve his blocking if he is going to satisfy both Malzahn and TE coach Dean Jackson.  Kincy has soft hands though and can get lost in the flat for some of those nice touchdown catches that Malzahn’s offense has produced in the past. 

 

The guy that looks like the NFL tight ends is redshirt freshman Darrion Griswold (6’5 240 RFR).  Griswold came to Arkansas State as a high school quarterback and basketball star.  During his redshirt year at the quarterback position, Griswold split time with John Brady’s basketball squad and provided solid depth for the hoopsters.   Griswold moved to TE with the new staff and has really had a good spring.  He looked impressive in the Spring Game making some very nice catches.  Griswold has the athleticism and size to play attached (lining up next to the tackles) or spread out wide.  Griswold will probably need to learn the blocking portion of the game as he is transitioning from quarterback, but with he has the ability to be physical and should provide the type of tight end that Malzahn is wants – the combo package of blocking and receiving.  

Andre Smith (6’2 220 RSR) is also making the transition from quarterback to tight end/H-back.  Smith came to ASU as a quarterback, but was set to be a TE in 2011 until Butterfield’s injury.  Smith became the backup quarterback and saw some mop up duty.  Smith has the skills to play the Hybrid position and has now worked the past two springs at that spot.  He should finally have the chance this fall to see time on the field at his new position.  Smith is athletic and has good hands (set to be a receiver early in career) and should provide a receiving threat from the H-back position.

Kenny Rains (6’4 250 RSO) is a true tight end.  He is didn’t see much action in 2011 in the 4 WR offense that Freeze ran and with Murry and Kincy getting the majority of reps.  Rains is physical and has a chance to be a very solid blocker.  He needs to continue his development and could see time in an offense that may use the blocking aspects of a tight end more than the previous one.  However even with the new emphasis on the power run game, unfortunately for Rains there has been an influx of new tight ends with Griswold and Smith.  

The tight ends /H-backs in the Gus Malzahn’s previous offenses have ranged from an extremely athletic back like Charles Clay to a physical blocker with good hands like Phillip Lutzenkirchen.  Malzahn may not have only one guy that truly fits what is looking for in his tight ends (Griswold) and he is extremely young.  But he has a variety of other guys that can help him find the mismatches in the defense and or give him the blocking edge he may need in his run game.