Top Five Tight Ends the Hoosiers will Face in 2017
/
Written By Alex Compton (@Alexncompton)
I hope everyone had a safe and fantastic Fourth of July! This week we are looking at the guys that can take offenses to the next level and leave defensive coordinators mad- the tight ends. Jake Butt and George Kittle are finally gone, but there are a whole mess of guys that IU will see this season that will present very stiff challenges both in and outside of the Big Ten, including two that are among the nation’s elite.
1. Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
“Fuuuuuuuuuum” is something you will likely hear a bunch from the visiting section at Memorial Stadium when the Badgers pay a visit to Bloomington this fall. Fumagalli (a former walk-on) is one the most balanced tight ends in the game today, and opposing defenses simply have to know where he is at all times, or accept getting burned by him. Last year, he caught 47 balls for 580 yards (12.3 ypc), with a long of 30 and 2 touchdowns. He has improved upon his numbers in each of the last three seasons, and many people around the country are expecting a massive year from him on the field.
Fumagalli actually lost his left index finger when he was a baby, and went to school about 15 minutes away from me growing up. I could tell back then how dominant he would be, with 9 digits and all. He just carried himself and played like a fifth-year college senior as an 18-year-old senior in high school.
Wisconsin played with two quarterbacks pretty much all of last year, which likely didn’t do the passing game any favors. With Alex Hornibrook coming back as a true sophomore and the full-time starter, you should see Fumagalli’s numbers get another solid boost. He should have a long NFL career, and he also has been named as one of the early favorites to win the John Mackey Award (nation’s top tight end), which would keep it in the Big Ten for another year as Jake Butt from Michigan won last year. Fumagalli is the best tight end IU will face this year.
2. Mike Gesicki, Penn State
The best pass-catching tight end in the country could very well reside in Happy Valley. After not living up to the high expectations of Nittany Lion fans his first few seasons, Gesicki burst onto the scene last year by grabbing 48 passes for 679 yards and 5 touchdowns. The 6’6” Gesicki has incredible leaping abilities to go along with his size, which makes his catch radius much larger than anyone IU will play this year.
With Trace McSorley back again, Penn State’s offense could very well be the best in the Big Ten for 2017-18. Fans that watched them dismantle Wisconsin’s defense in the Big Ten championship game should be well aware of just how quickly they can get going, and Gesicki will pretty much be open every time he steps on the field. If he improves his blocking he could be one of the most attractive prospects to NFL teams, but he should be in demand for his catching abilities regardless.
3. Marcus Baugh, Ohio State
I remember his drop that led to an A’Shon Riggins interception last fall, but most people remember his size and instincts for the game. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection after racking up nearly 300 yards and 2 scores. He moves really, really well for someone that is 6’5”, and that is why he could have a big season for the Buckeyes. If J.T. Barrett can get the ball out on time and in rhythm to a target like Baugh, then Kevin Wilson and his offensive staff will be happy campers.
Can Wilson get Baugh the ball though? Tight ends were completely undervalued and underutilized during his time at Indiana, so it will be interesting to see how involved Baugh is in Kevin Wilson’s new-look Ohio State offense.
4. Cole Herdman, Purdue
I hate to say it, but Cole Herdman is a dang good football player. The senior from Virginia ended last year with 35 catches for 344 yards and 3 touchdowns, and really established himself as a big time Big Ten tight end. David Blough led the Big Ten in passing yards last year and is back again, which should mean good things for Herdman and the passing attack in general. Herdman could very well be his top target this season since Purdue’s group of receivers is less than ideal, and adding in new head coach Jeff Brohm’s air raid offense straight out of an NCAA Football video game (please come back) could allow you to see Herdman put up some of the best numbers in the league.
5. Khalid Hill, Michigan
Finally, I'm going to end this list with an interesting player. Admittedly, Khalid Hill is not a traditional tight end, but since he lines up there enough, I’m going to put him on here since he is talented enough. The tight end / fullback combo is a player that fans of “the old school Big Ten” will love, as he just puts his head down and mauls guys in the trenches. His game is legitimately only north to south, and it doesn’t matter if he has the ball or not. Not only is he one of the best blockers in the conference, but he also is able to catch and run with the ball effectively. Hill had 16 catches for 118 yards and 3 touchdowns last year while adding another TEN touchdowns on the ground with just 25 carries. He’s a touchdown vulture and if the Wolverines can’t punch it in from outside of the five, they have Hill to finish the job.
Hill’s value is undeniable to Michigan, and that is why he finds himself on this list. His ability to do so many different things well sets him apart from other players in the Big Ten, and Indiana will have to try and keep him out of the box score as much as possible when the Wolverines come to Bloomington.
If you are enjoying our Indiana Football and Big Ten coverage and would like to help support Hoosier Huddle, we are selling hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. Orders must be in by July 13th! Order Here.