Big South TEs 2014

[bjtheflamesfan]

Due to the July 4th holiday (and my being out of town next week with my parents who surprised my wife and I with a week vacation in NC), I decided to move up this last of the offensive skill position breakdowns to tonight (Happy Independence Day to all of you CS.com fam). July 14 we will return with the first of our two open discussion topics, the Offensive Line. Without further ado...the tight ends

Charleston Southern

Nathan Prater 10 Receptions 127 Yards 1 TD
Briar Van Brunt No 2013 Stats

Kirby Broome graduates for the Bucs, but they still get Prater as a safety valve for the QBs plus an extra blocker in blitz reads, as well as another year with the former QB Van Brunt, who converted to TE for the 2013 season after being shifted down the depth chart by DC3 and Copeland behind Dixon. If whoever the QB is for CSU can get the TE a bit more involved in the receiving game, they have a pair of very nice weapons as well as a couple additional contributors in junior Cagle and R-freshman Moseley

Coastal Carolina

Thomas Pauciello 9 Catches 104 Yards 3 TD
Cody Craig 2 Catches 15 Yards 0 TD

Pauciello made a major splash last year, finishing tied for 4th on the team in TDs, including a huge catch in the upset win over Liberty in Lynchburg (first win since 2005 in Lynchburg...which was also an overtime game). Craig, like Van Brunt a converted QB, did not factor much into the passing game (except for protection Im guessing) like Weick, the third TE on the roster, but the Chants are going to need to have a serviceable backup in case something does happen to Pauciello, especially with no incoming freshmen in the 2014 recruiting class. My guess is CJM looks to fill that need in 2015 or 2016 since Weick and Pauciello will both be seniors that fall.

Gardner-Webb

Mike Estes 18 Catches 278 Yards 1 TD (2013 Big South All-Conference Second Team)
Seth Cranfill 16 Catches 132 Yards 0 TD

Usually in a situation where an upperclassman and an underclassman were the two players at a position on the depth chart, the veteran, elder statesman upperclassman takes most of the starter's reps, training up the young upstart, preparing them to take over after they take their final bow. Estes blew that right up, taking over the starting role and going onto second team all-conference laurels despite only having 1 TD. Having a veteran like Cranfill (who I believe earned all-conference honors in 2012, somebody from the G-W fanbase help me with that) backing Estes up gives the Runnin Bulldogs good options at the position.

Liberty

Dexter Herman 5 Catches 78 Yards 2 TD
Will Johnson No 2013 Stats

Its not typical that a transfer with no 2013 stats ends up in the top 2, but with Herman leading the way, Johnson dove right in during spring practice and cemented himself as a viable option at #1 or #2 with his performance. Either has some big shoes to fill replacing 2013 first team all-conference TE Brandon Apon, who finished as the all-time leader in touchdowns by a TE in the Big South.

Monmouth

Zach Fabel 9 Catches 149 Yards 2 TD
Evan Ruane No 2013 Stats

Fabel is the only returning TE to catch a pass for the Hawks, but his importance to the offense in their first year in the Big South is no tall tale. with a LOT of teams focusing on Neal Sterling (recently named to the CFPA watch list), having a TE that can take some of the pressure off will be key.

Presbyterian

Kris Hurley 2 Catches 11 Yards 1 TD
Jake Foster No 2013 Stats

The Blue Hose lose a fine TE in Joey Gilkey who graduated after an outstanding run in Clinton. The only player that logged a catch last season that returns is Hurley, and the senior will have to step up quickly and take the lead for a very young group at the position.


Team Rankings

1. Gardner-Webb
2. Charleston Southern
3. Coastal Carolina
4. Liberty
5. Monmouth
6. Presbyterian

Individual Rankings

1. Mike Estes GWU
2. Nathan Prater CSU
3. Thomas Pauciello CCU
4. Dexter Herman LU
Zach Fabel MU
6. Kris Hurley PC
7. Seth Cranfill GWU
8. Cody Craig CCU
9. Briar Van Brunt CSU
10. Will Johnson LU

[bjtheflamesfan]

bump

[bjtheflamesfan]

No talking up the tight ends guys?

[bodoyle]

Looking forward to seeing Pauciello getting some more looks especially after losing 3 WRs.