What’s the easiest way for a Husker tight end to be certain his uniform won’t get dirty on game day?
That’s simple. All you have to do is show the other team you can’t block worth a darn, and therefore if you’re in the game it’s probably a pass play.
Sophomore tight end Kyler Reed knows that all too well, and if he forgets Ron Brown is there to remind him.
Don’t let Reed’s undersized 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame and talk of him being one of the most athletic guys on the roster fool you, though, because Reed is catching on to this blocking stuff.
“He’s got tremendous strength; he’s a powerful guy,” says Brown, the Husker tight ends coach. “I have a lot of confidence in him as a blocker, and his knowledge of the game has really picked up.”
This spring, Reed is getting plenty of chances to prove that he should be on the field when the season starts. With Dreu Young and Ben Cotton missing practice at times because of injury, and Mike McNeill taking a new role as hybrid tight end/wide receiver, Reed and others, such as Mychael McClure of Wisner-Pilger, have been getting a ton of reps. It also helps that Reed is healthy, after battling injuries most of last season.
The practice reps have allowed Reed to get his mind wrapped around the offense, and now that’s he more confident he’s able to play faster.
Reed says he had four catches in last week’s major scrimmage. Now he’ll focus on keeping his confidence level high and becoming a dependable blocker.
“Obviously, to play for Coach Brown, you’ve got to be able to block,” Reed said. “Fortunately, I can run pretty good because I played receiver in high school, so I guess blocking is what I need to work on most.”
Like McNeill, Reed also considered an offseason switch to receiver in hopes of using his speed. Earlier in his Husker career, he even spent a month during Gator Bowl preparations practicing on defense.
But a talk with Bo Pelini in which the head coach told Reed his quickest way to get on the field was at tight end was all it took, and he’s happy.
“I like at tight end you get a lot of linebackers matched up on you, so that’s an advantage for me, and hopefully I can use my speed in that sense,” Reed said.
Reed played in 11 games last season and started against Florida Atlantic. He had six receptions for 54 yards, with his longest catch 22 yards against Baylor.
Reed is similar in size and speed to McNeill, who had 28 receptions and was second-team All-Big 12 last season.
Reed watched closely and marveled at how McNeill always seemed to be able to get open.
Brown sees Reed as a project, but one he’s glad to work with.
“He’s a neat kid, and I’m proud of how he’s coming along,” Brown said. “He’s got a long way to go, but I think he’s in it for the long haul. I think he’s committed to being a great player, and Lord willing that will happen sometime.”
Tight end is one of the Huskers’ deepest positions, as evidenced by McNeill’s move. Brown feels his group has good versatility, with good blockers, along with receiving threats.
“Ideally, you want your tight ends to be able to do everything,” Brown said. “What’s interesting about Ben Cotton, even at 6-6, 255 pounds, he’s a pretty good receiver. He runs pretty well and he’s getting better. But obviously where he can help you is in the blocking game. And then you get a Kyler Reed who can race down the field and make some big plays, but he’s also a good blocker. You want guys who can do it all, you want specialists, but you don’t want to be predictable, either.”
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