#MIZCamp18 Day 2 - The Emergence of Mizzou's Tight Ends
8/4/2018 2:45:00 PM | Football
COLUMBIA, Mo. – "I'm excited about the progress we've made from day one to day two. We've got a long way to go. We need to get a lot better tomorrow and I think we will."
That was the message from head coach Barry Odom as the Tigers wrapped up day two of #MIZCAMP18. Following an eventful day from the offensive and defensive units alike, one position group was the focus of day two chatter.
"They've each got a little bit of a different skill set, but Kendall and Albert have a talent level that is really impressive," Odom said of the tight end group, "Scales made two really tough catches today in traffic and did a nice job; he's advanced. Then—the little kid—Messiah who's coming on and then Logan Christopherson and some of the things he can help us out with in different ways using him."
Making mention of the possibility of utilizing multiple options within the group, Odom discussed the advantages of mixing up the scheme around the tight ends.
"We've got an opportunity—through personnel groupings—to get all those guys on the field in some fashion," said Odom. "If we can do that, it's going to help us not only in the run game, but also some things they can do stretching the field, either vertically or middle of the field with just a physical presence."
Other members of the Tigers' coaching staff raved about the potential and reliability of the tight ends.
"We're going to lean on those guys heavily," wide receivers assistant coach A.J. Ofodile said of the group. "They're experienced guys, they're veteran guys who produce. When you have veteran guys you're counting on them not just do what they do a year ago but also take a step up in terms of production and leadership."
That productivity mentioned by Ofodile is apparent as Mizzou returns the dangerous duo of senior TE Kendall Blanton and sophomore TE Albert Okwuegbunam, with the latter reeling in 11 touchdown receptions a season ago, tying him for the NCAA-lead among tight ends.
While much of the hype is publicly placed on the shoulders of Okwuegbunam, tight ends assistant coach Joe Jon Finley doesn't want people to forget about the achievements and potential NFL chances of Blanton.
"He's the total package," Finley stated without hesitation, "You don't get a lot of tight ends in the league that like to block and are good at it and can still go run routes and make catches. He can block as well as any tight end I've ever seen. He's continuing to build on that and he's getting more and more confidence in the passing game because we're doing a little bit more with him. He's got all the ability in the world."
As the Tigers continue to churn out talent amongst the position, recruits and current players alike have begun to take notice of the reputation that tight ends have at Mizzou.
"Watching Albert last year, that was just something that really turned me here," said freshman TE Messiah Swinson. "Sean Culkin, he was in the league. Jason Reese in the league this year. So, essentially, a continuous flow of just tight ends every year."
"I knew about their history with tight ends and that was also very attractive," Okwuegbunam mentioned of Mizzou's past success with tight ends.
With the emergence of Blanton and Okwuegbunam, many are quick to draw comparisons between the prolific pair of tight ends Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker. While time continues to progress, the legacy that the two left at Mizzou will be remembered for some time.
"Yeah, we talk about them in the tight ends room, we got some pictures of them on the wall," Swinson said of the pair. "It's a little bit past my time."
As day two wrapped up, the tight ends will aim to build on the momentum found today as fall camp continues to roll along.
"We've just got to keep building on it day after day," Finley said of the group's success.
Stay tuned to #MIZCAMP18 by following Mizzou Football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouFootball. Tickets are available for the season by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS (884-PAWS locally) or visiting MUTigers.com/FBTix.
