white tornado
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- Oct 5, 2005
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Tight end seems to be our strongest position this year except for kicker and maybe center.
Up until a few years ago tight end was not a glamour position like it is now. The tight end was an o-line man that caught passes on occasion, because of this white tight ends were not fazed out like at running back and receiver. Due to discrimination at the most highly regarded skill positions many great white athletes were funneled to the tight end position.
By Rob Rang
Special to CBS SportsLine.com
Scouting the pro prospects: Wide receivers, tight ends
7 of 8 of CBS sports lines top tight ends were white
Greg Olsen, TE, Miami, 6-5, 252, Jr.
Miami coaches say Olsen could end up being the best Hurricanes tight end ever -- quite a statement considering Miami has produced the likes of Kellen Winslow Jr., Jeremy Shockey and Bubba Franks.
Olsen left high school as one of the elite prep talents in the country and originally signed with Notre Dame. He elected to transfer to Miami and was forced to sit out the 2003 season.
A backup to eventual third-round pick Kevin Everett (Buffalo), Olsen didn't get much playing time in 2004. In limited duty he caught 16 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown. His talents began to blossom in '05. An honorable mention All-ACC player, Olsen finished with 31 receptions for 451 yards and four touchdowns.
Despite measuring in at 6-5, 252, Olsen has good speed for the position. Though he possesses the size to be an impact blocker, Olsen remains at his best catching passes over the middle and stretching the seam. In only one season as the starter, he has become Miami's most reliable receiving outlet, and LSU made stopping him a focus in the Peach Bowl. It was no coincidence the Hurricanes struggled to move the ball against the Tigers with Olsen being held without a reception.
Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State, 6-4, 254, Jr.
If Olsen isn't the elite tight end in the collegiate ranks, then Miller certainly is. A second-team All-American in his true freshman season of 2004, Miller broke the ASU record for receptions in a season by a tight end with 56, which also tied the NCAA mark for the position. He also produced 552 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Miller was one of only four freshmen to earn either first- or second-team All-American honors in '04.
Miller's '05 numbers dropped due to injuries, most notably a nagging left ankle sprain. He still finished third on the team with 38 receptions, four for touchdowns. He also recorded 476 receiving yards for an average of 12.5 per reception. Miller's potential has many comparing him to former Sun Devils great Todd Heap.
Matt Spaeth, TE, Minnesota, 6-6, 270, Sr.:
Arguably the most accomplished senior tight end in the country, Spaeth has 729 yards on 62 receptions with eight touchdowns in his career, and needs 483 receiving yards to surpass Ben Utecht as the school's all-time leading receiver at the position. Spaeth was voted first-team All-Big Ten by both the conference coaches and media.
Clark Harris, TE, Rutgers, 6-6, 255, Sr.:
Harris, a two-time All-Big East selection, has 109 receptions for 1,522 yards and nine touchdowns over his career. He caught 38 passes for 584 yards and four touchdowns last season as Rutgers reached the Insight Bowl, the school's first bowl game since 1978. He was the No. 1 ranked tight end in the conference with 48.7 receiving yards and 3.17 catches per game.
Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa, 6-7, 256, Sr.:
Chandler signed on with Iowa as a receiver, but simply kept getting bigger and was moved to tight end in 2004. He has since developed into one of the better prospects at the position and could be on the verge of a monstrous senior season. Considered by some to have the softest hands of any of the senior tight ends, Chandler led Iowa in receptions last year (47), his first as the starter. The Hawkeye has caught 71 passes for 876 yards and four touchdowns over the past two seasons, numbers he might match as a senior.
Joe Newton, TE, Oregon State, 6-7, 255, Sr.:
Newton is one of the more productive receiving tight ends in the country, but due to Oregon State's relative lack of success and Newton's penchant for injury, he hasn't received the national attention his play warrants. Blessed with spectacular size and strong, sure hands, Newton enjoyed a breakout 2004 season in which he posted 56 catches for 687 yards and seven touchdowns, earning honorable mention Pac-10 honors. Expected to compete for the Mackey Award this past season, Newton was instead lost for '05 with a torn tendon in his left foot. How Newton recovers from the injury will count heavily toward his final draft standing.
Jonny Harline, TE, BYU, 6-4, 242, Sr.:
Harline is the nation's most productive returning tight end. He led Brigham Young in receptions (63) and receiving yards (853) and was named first-team All-MWC in 2005. He also caught five touchdown passes and had three 100-yard performances, including 123 yards against both San Diego State and New Mexico. BYU has sent three tight ends to the NFL Draft over the past five years (Spencer Nead, Doug Jolley, Tevita Ofahengaue), and Harline looks poised to continue the tradition.
Eight of Draft Daddies top ten senior tight ends are white.
1. Joe Newton Oregon State
2. Scott Chandler Iowa
3. Clark Harris Rutgers
4. Matt Spaeth Minnesota
5. Martez Milner Georgia-black
6. Brent Celek Cincinnati
7. Dan Murray Connecticut
8. Matt Herian Nebraska
9. Ben Patrick Delaware-black
10. Jon Harline Brigham Young
Up until a few years ago tight end was not a glamour position like it is now. The tight end was an o-line man that caught passes on occasion, because of this white tight ends were not fazed out like at running back and receiver. Due to discrimination at the most highly regarded skill positions many great white athletes were funneled to the tight end position.
By Rob Rang
Special to CBS SportsLine.com
Scouting the pro prospects: Wide receivers, tight ends
7 of 8 of CBS sports lines top tight ends were white
Greg Olsen, TE, Miami, 6-5, 252, Jr.
Miami coaches say Olsen could end up being the best Hurricanes tight end ever -- quite a statement considering Miami has produced the likes of Kellen Winslow Jr., Jeremy Shockey and Bubba Franks.
Olsen left high school as one of the elite prep talents in the country and originally signed with Notre Dame. He elected to transfer to Miami and was forced to sit out the 2003 season.
A backup to eventual third-round pick Kevin Everett (Buffalo), Olsen didn't get much playing time in 2004. In limited duty he caught 16 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown. His talents began to blossom in '05. An honorable mention All-ACC player, Olsen finished with 31 receptions for 451 yards and four touchdowns.
Despite measuring in at 6-5, 252, Olsen has good speed for the position. Though he possesses the size to be an impact blocker, Olsen remains at his best catching passes over the middle and stretching the seam. In only one season as the starter, he has become Miami's most reliable receiving outlet, and LSU made stopping him a focus in the Peach Bowl. It was no coincidence the Hurricanes struggled to move the ball against the Tigers with Olsen being held without a reception.
Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State, 6-4, 254, Jr.
If Olsen isn't the elite tight end in the collegiate ranks, then Miller certainly is. A second-team All-American in his true freshman season of 2004, Miller broke the ASU record for receptions in a season by a tight end with 56, which also tied the NCAA mark for the position. He also produced 552 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Miller was one of only four freshmen to earn either first- or second-team All-American honors in '04.
Miller's '05 numbers dropped due to injuries, most notably a nagging left ankle sprain. He still finished third on the team with 38 receptions, four for touchdowns. He also recorded 476 receiving yards for an average of 12.5 per reception. Miller's potential has many comparing him to former Sun Devils great Todd Heap.
Matt Spaeth, TE, Minnesota, 6-6, 270, Sr.:
Arguably the most accomplished senior tight end in the country, Spaeth has 729 yards on 62 receptions with eight touchdowns in his career, and needs 483 receiving yards to surpass Ben Utecht as the school's all-time leading receiver at the position. Spaeth was voted first-team All-Big Ten by both the conference coaches and media.
Clark Harris, TE, Rutgers, 6-6, 255, Sr.:
Harris, a two-time All-Big East selection, has 109 receptions for 1,522 yards and nine touchdowns over his career. He caught 38 passes for 584 yards and four touchdowns last season as Rutgers reached the Insight Bowl, the school's first bowl game since 1978. He was the No. 1 ranked tight end in the conference with 48.7 receiving yards and 3.17 catches per game.
Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa, 6-7, 256, Sr.:
Chandler signed on with Iowa as a receiver, but simply kept getting bigger and was moved to tight end in 2004. He has since developed into one of the better prospects at the position and could be on the verge of a monstrous senior season. Considered by some to have the softest hands of any of the senior tight ends, Chandler led Iowa in receptions last year (47), his first as the starter. The Hawkeye has caught 71 passes for 876 yards and four touchdowns over the past two seasons, numbers he might match as a senior.
Joe Newton, TE, Oregon State, 6-7, 255, Sr.:
Newton is one of the more productive receiving tight ends in the country, but due to Oregon State's relative lack of success and Newton's penchant for injury, he hasn't received the national attention his play warrants. Blessed with spectacular size and strong, sure hands, Newton enjoyed a breakout 2004 season in which he posted 56 catches for 687 yards and seven touchdowns, earning honorable mention Pac-10 honors. Expected to compete for the Mackey Award this past season, Newton was instead lost for '05 with a torn tendon in his left foot. How Newton recovers from the injury will count heavily toward his final draft standing.
Jonny Harline, TE, BYU, 6-4, 242, Sr.:
Harline is the nation's most productive returning tight end. He led Brigham Young in receptions (63) and receiving yards (853) and was named first-team All-MWC in 2005. He also caught five touchdown passes and had three 100-yard performances, including 123 yards against both San Diego State and New Mexico. BYU has sent three tight ends to the NFL Draft over the past five years (Spencer Nead, Doug Jolley, Tevita Ofahengaue), and Harline looks poised to continue the tradition.
Eight of Draft Daddies top ten senior tight ends are white.
1. Joe Newton Oregon State
2. Scott Chandler Iowa
3. Clark Harris Rutgers
4. Matt Spaeth Minnesota
5. Martez Milner Georgia-black
6. Brent Celek Cincinnati
7. Dan Murray Connecticut
8. Matt Herian Nebraska
9. Ben Patrick Delaware-black
10. Jon Harline Brigham Young