• Broadcasts
  • Interviews
  • Gridiron Now
  • Straight Talk No Chaser

The Sports Den

  • Home
  • About
  • Partners
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Home
  • Updates
  • Gridiron Now
  • New Offense Should Increase Productivity for Florida State Tight Ends in 2018
March 24, 2023

New Offense Should Increase Productivity for Florida State Tight Ends in 2018

New Offense Should Increase Productivity for Florida State Tight Ends in 2018

by James Coleman / Friday, 06 April 2018 / Published in Gridiron Now

FSU Tight Ends

Willie Taggart’s offense is predicated on finding the one-on-one match ups and giving the ball playmakers in space. This has been his MO since coaching at Western Kentucky, but there – as well as other stops – he didn’t have the available talent pool that was left for him by Jimbo Fisher at FSU.

Now he has elite athletes at every position on offense.

One position group that hasn’t been as prominent at FSU since the departure of Nick O’Leary left is the tight end. Ryan Izzo showed flashes and much was expected of Marvin Saunders, but under Fisher in recent year’s tight end has been relegated to a blocker and running dummy routes that every now and then receive the ball.

Not really a threat.

Statistically speaking, Izzo would’ve been on par with the production of Taggart’s tight end at Orgeon, Jacob Breeland. In 2016, Taggart’s tight end at USF, Mitchell Wilcox, had fewer targets, but averaged 23 yards-per-catch. In 2015, between Sean Price and Elkanah Dillion, the position accounted for almost 800 yards on the season.

What makes me believe that tight end productivity should open up at FSU in 2018 are the athletes the Noles have at wide receiver. DJ Matthews, Nyqwan Murray, Tamorrion Terry and Keith Gavin should stress defenses to the point where Tre’ McKitty, Naseir “pop” Upshur and converted fullback Gabe Nabers can take advantage from the tight end spot. Reports from spring practice indicate the tight ends have received more action against a defense that at many times has forced the young quarterbacks into throwing the ball to what should be considered the less “athletic” positions.

“Sophomore tight end Tre’ McKitty looked smooth going through wide receiver drills,” Wayne McGahee wrote in the Tallahassee Democrat. “He worked consistently first through drills and Naseir Upshur worked second.”

This can be considered another wrinkle in this offense.

In the practice I attended, I noticed Nabers making plays as well. The fullback is definitely going to have a role in this system as an H Back. I’ve always said this, something I got from Old Man Bowden, “if you want to win give the ball to the fullback!”

RELATED: The “four fights” Willie Taggart is challenging his team to take on.

Article Originally Appeared On Gridiron Now: http://gridironnow.com/new-offense-should-increase-productivity-for-florida-state-tight-ends-in-2018/

  • Tweet
Tagged under: Florida State Seminoles, Gabe Nabers, James Coleman, Naseir Upshur, Tre' McKitty

About James Coleman

James played fullback at Florida State University where he was a three-year starter and a member of 3 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships between the years of 2002–2005. James was the go to short yardage back and scored 10 career touchdowns while playing in 46 career games at FSU. He used his skills to realize his dream of playing in the NFL while playing with the New Orleans Saints for one season. James received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science in only three years. James used sports performance training during his high school and college years before coming into the field after his playing career was finished.

What you can read next

Florida State’s Relationship with FAMU No Longer as One-Sided as Before
Like Father, Like Son: Stanford Samuels III Becoming a Force in FSU Secondary
Florida State Rushing Attack has a Chance to be Dominant Under Willie Taggart

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Broadcast 11-19-18

    Denny and James complete the post mordem of the...
  • Broadcast 11-18-18

    Denny and James break down the Jaguars’ l...
  • Seminole Fans Should Keep an Eye on Class of 2019 RB DJ Williams

    I typically stay out of the crowded recruiting ...
  • Florida State’s Blueprint for Beating Boston College

    FSU enters Saturday’s contest against Boston Co...
  • Broadcast 11-15-18

    Denny and James discuss the Jaguars matchup wit...

Categories

  • Blog
  • Gridiron Now
  • Interviews
  • Radio
  • Straight Talk No Chaser

Contest powered by:
Contest Burner

INFO

  • Home
  • About
  • Partners
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Shop

Recent Broadcasts

  • Broadcast 11-19-18

  • Broadcast 11-18-18

  • Broadcast 11-15-18

  • Broadcast 11-12-18

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

By subscribing to our mailing list you will always be update with the latest news from us.

We never spam!

Straight Talk No Chaser

  • STNC Episode #11

  • STNC Episode #10

  • STNC Episode #9

  • STNC Episode #8

  • GET SOCIAL
The Sports Den

© 2015. All rights reserved. Designed by Remarkable Marketers

TOP