BROOKINGS Since moving to the Football Championship Subdivision in 2004, South Dakota State has an argument to be its version of Tight End U.
It started with a pair of NFL draft picks. Dallas Goedert was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 and Tucker Kraft was taken by the Green Bay Packers in 2023. Zach Heins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after a strong senior year and Mike Morgan was a third-team Phil Steele FCS All-American for the Jacks last season.
The tight end position has played a huge role in SDSUs rise to an FCS powerhouse and entering 2024, fans want to know who will be the next in line. But while the Jacks have produced stars at the tight end position in the past, this season may be different as SDSU is relying on its depth to keep the tradition going.
The coolest part is that there is a ton of talent in that room, SDSU tight ends coach Chris Meyers said. Were probably deeper now than weve been in any time since Ive been here. Weve been really top-heavy the past few years having these NFL guys like Tucker and Zach and Mike, who was an All-American. But after that, there wasnt a ton of depth. This year, I feel like were five, six, or seven deep of guys that can just come in and play.
Meyers plays a big role in developing the Jacks depth. SDSUs tight end coach since February of 2022, Meyers became the teams recruiting coordinator following the 2022 season and scouts the area to find players that can fit the role.
Finding tight ends isnt always clear and selling a recruit on the idea of switching positions to can be difficult. But SDSU also has an advantage in recruiting players thanks to its history and how they utilize their tight ends.
The history is a huge part of it, but its easier to get good ones when you use them, Meyers explained. When Im recruiting a kid, I can point to the history of Dallas, Tucker and Zach and say These guys are going to catch a lot of balls and theyre going to play a lot.
While coaches have shifted towards using tight ends as big receivers in offenses that feature 11 personnel (with one running back and one tight end on the field, normally with three receivers), SDSU runs more plays in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends).
Were going to use them in a way that can be featured, Meyers said. I tell kids that everybody uses a tight end, but how do they feature them? Thats what we do here. We feature our tight ends.
Meyers knows the difference, previously serving as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State. The use of two tight ends increases the need at the position and creates opportunities and for some creativity when finding players in recruiting.
The big people are easier to find up north, Meyers laughed. Down south, Zach Heins probably would have been a very solid tackle if he was from Dallas, Texas but now hes an NFL tight end. This area of the country were in, it lends to big people that are athletic and frankly underdeveloped in high school.
There are several examples of SDSU benefitting from this approach. Current tight end Kevin Brenner was a defensive lineman to begin his career but shifted to tight end during the 2022 season. The elder statesman in the SDSU tight end room, Brenner has already made a contribution as a key special teams player and his transition to tight end has helped him take some of the younger players under his wing as they learn the nuances of the position.
I look at them as my little brothers, but theyre my equals on the field, Brenner said. Just getting to hang out with those guys and theyre youth, it reminds me when I was in their position in the D-line room but still their same age going through this program. I think just everything Ive been through and most of them havent even experienced a loss here, so just everything that Im able to give them knowledge-wise, Ive taken that to heart.
Davin Stoffel was a receiver and linebacker during high school in Mosinee, Wisc. before making the full-time switch to tight end last season. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, Stoffel stands out physically but his play on the field has also grabbed attention during spring and fall camps.
He has just come in and looks physically looks like a man amongst boys, Meyers said. He looks a lot like Heins did in the uniform right now. Hes been a guy that has just come in and attacked things from a physical standpoint and a mental standpoint and hes really stood out.
But while Brenner has provided leadership and Stoffel has created a buzz its the depth that truly stands out for the SDSU tight ends. David Alpers, Brody Gormley and Greyton Gannon are just some of the players who could see tight end this season and each brings a unique skill set that complements the other players in the room.
Weve got like six guys that can make plays and probably belong on the field, Stoffel said. I think weve got a lot of different skill sets, a little bit of diversity in the room and I think that just makes it really hard to stop us as a group.
The depth has already been apparent to Meyers, who rattled off a list of names when asked about who has stood out during camp.
Its hard to separate one guy that really stands out, Meyers said. Theyve all had wild plays every single day, so the competition between those guys has been really, really exciting. Everybodys kind of taking their turns being the guy and were in a really good spot as far as depth because a lot of those guys can start anywhere in this conference.
The tight end room will continue to be a big part of SDSUs chase for a third straight national championship and there are plenty of candidates who could break out as the season draws closer. But even if one player stands out, another one might not be far behind, meaning SDSUs tradition at tight end is alive and well.
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