ASU Football: A Look at the Tight End Position

In the current college football climate, the Tight End position  is becoming somewhat extinct.  It may be more appropriate to say that tight ends are on the Endangered Species list.  They are not quite extinct like the fullback position.  (unless you are Stanford)

In traditional offenses and those used by NFL teams, the tight end position is a critical one.  A legitimate multi-tool tight end is a true weapon.  The ability to be able to line up next to a tackle, put your hand on the ground and block defensive ends or reach block a linebacker is huge.  Now take that same player and let him release and run a good route and catch the ball-and you have some real versatility.

Tight ends are a match-up problem.  Excellent tight ends are a match-up nightmare.  If they are too athletic to cover with a safety or linebacker and yet still too big to defeat his block–you’ve got problems on defense.

But for ASU and many other college spread offenses, the prototypical tight end doesn’t really factor in.  The Sun Devils rarely line up with a tight end.  They may have one on the field, but he is usually lined up in the backfield in what is now called the H-back.  This position used to be filled by fullbacks.  They are blocking backs that can be put in motion and used as a lead-blocker or to stay in and help with pass protection, occasionally being released to run a route.

With Chris Coyle lost to graduation, the heir apparent for ASU at tight end appears to be De’Marieya Nelson.  Nelson had a good year in his first season with ASU.  He is a big target and has the athleticism to run routes and catch the ball.  But he was somewhat limited to that role.  He lined up in the slot often and was primarily used in the capacity of a receiver.  He is being pushed by Marcus Washington and Grant Martinez for the role of every down tight end.

Washington is showing some great ability as a blocker/H-back.  It is likely that he will improve and get more comfortable running routes and catching the ball.  If Nelson can respond by becoming a better blocker, handle big defensive ends and fit in on linebackers, he could be a big weapon for the Sun Devils.

Time will tell if Nelson can step into that “every down” role or if others will be rotated in to offer a better match-up.  It’s yet another subplot of this ASU football team that will play out when camp opens in August.