Spring Position Battles - Receivers and Tight Ends

[Mavric]

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cethan Carter: Nebraska found some creative ways to use the skills of the 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end last year, particularly in the season’s second half. He finished with 24 catches — and 10 of those came in the final three games. He ran a couple of reverses and caught a few screen passes. He showed his big-play ability — breaking loose downfield for long gains or leaping over defenders for highlight-reel grabs. He was a tenacious blocker, too. Carter did it all, really. Which makes you wonder: What more can he do? coaches are certainly brainstorming. Mike Riley and Danny Langsdorf always had the reputation of getting the most out of their tight ends at Oregon State. So one would expect Carter’s role to grow in his senior season.

 

OWH

[Hayseed]

Anyone remember a Husker TE named Johnny Mitchell. How does Cethan Carter compare to him?

[Mavric]

247: Five Offensive Players to Watch

 

Derrion Grim

There’s no shortage of wide receivers who could be slotted here, but this will be the media and fan’s first look at Grim. The receiver had a highly productive preps career that featured a record setting senior season. At Nebraska the opportunity to play early is going to be tough, but Grim should use the time to learn everything he can from senior Jordan Westerkamp.

The two aren’t completely similar as Grim might be more explosive with the ball in his hands, but both run crisp routes, both find holes in a defense and each was highly productive in high school. There’s no lack of confidence from Grim and it wouldn’t be surprising if he generates a fair amount of buzz, not unlike what Stanley Morgan did in the fall.

[girlknowsfootball]

I think we are going to see Matt Snyder emerge this year as a starter with Cethan in the two man sets.

[Mavric]

Lavan Alston

It wasn’t a great redshirt season for Alston. The California speedster became the forgotten man as an early August knee injury cost him the entire developmental year. Alston looked like a typical freshman when he was practicing, flashing big play potential, but occasionally drawing the attention of coaches for alignment or decision mistakes.

The 2016 spring for Alston will be about getting some work in and getting a chance to prove himself as the job doesn’t get easier. While Alston was out, Nebraska receivers put in a big season. Most of those players return and more get to campus in the summer. It’ll be very interesting to see if Alston wis able to come all the way back at any point this spring.

 

Matt Snyder

The northern Californian was one of the players some thought my play as a freshman because of his size. However, if recent photos are any indication, the redshirt season wasn’t a waste for Snyder physically. The tight end has appeared to have reshaped himself, which will only make his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame scarier for opponents.

Snyder could win the second tight end job and really help the Huskers play power football. The tight end spent a lot of time working with Tavita Thompson after practices last season and developed as a blocker. Those improvements could set things up, as he’s the next man in line for the starting gig when Cethan Carter leaves after 2016.

 

247

[Mavric]

 

[Mavric]

LJS Spring Practice Questions

 

7. With injuries to Jordan Westerkamp and Stanley Morgan (though he might be back soon), who at wide receiver uses the extra reps to their advantage best? True freshman Derrion Grim has the maturity and physical build that could allow him to lend a helping hand this fall, but these are big days for him and those like Lavan Alston and Zack Darlington to earn the trust of Keith Williams.

[Mavric]

Derrion Grim:

 

[Mavric]

Tight ends coach Tavita Thompson said redshirt freshman Matt Snyder needs to just play faster. The young tight end is still thinking too much on the field, but that’s to be expected from a young player in his first spring.

 

247

[teachercd]

I thought one reporter mentioned that Snyder looked a bit weak with his upper body...I think he will be s star when it is all said.

 

I think that CC will be a star this year, big time. 40 plus catches

[Mavric]

[Mavric]

[lo country]

Brandon Reilly getting lots of live from the media as well.

[84HuskerLaw]

Anyone remember a Husker TE named Johnny Mitchell. How does Cethan Carter compare to him?

Johnny Mitchell was a genuine star as a receiving TE and decent blocker. To compare them at this point would be unfair as Carter is nowhere near the playmaker (yet) of a Mitchell. Mitchell was likely the best receiving TE ever as a Husker. He had real speed and soft hands and great size. He had the speed of an average WR lining up at the TE position. I don't recall exactly his roster listed size but my recollection is about 6'5 and 255 (probably like about 6'7 and 270 in today's bigger size players generally). We may have had a couple guys listed as TEs who were straight line faster but none really compared in my view as a receiver. He was an average blocker and many a Husker TE in Osborne era were tougher blockers.

[NU jumper alum]

 

Anyone remember a Husker TE named Johnny Mitchell. How does Cethan Carter compare to him?

 

Johnny Mitchell was a genuine star as a receiving TE and decent blocker. To compare them at this point would be unfair as Carter is nowhere near the playmaker (yet) of a Mitchell. Mitchell was likely the best receiving TE ever as a Husker. He had real speed and soft hands and great size. He had the speed of an average WR lining up at the TE position. I don't recall exactly his roster listed size but my recollection is about 6'5 and 255 (probably like about 6'7 and 270 in today's bigger size players generally). We may have had a couple guys listed as TEs who were straight line faster but none really compared in my view as a receiver. He was an average blocker and many a Husker TE in Osborne era were tougher blockers.

It's have always thought that our best tight ends were Mitchellooking and Junior Miller. Junior was just a beast!