Ranking The Big 10 By Position. (Tight End)

All this week Husker Corner.com will be breaking down each position in the Big 10 Conference. Today we talk the unsung heroes. The tight ends. We will be ranking each position from 12 to 1. Twelve being the group that is lacking depth, doesn’t have any proven player, and/or needs to improve the most. One will be the strongest group of tight ends.

12. Purdue: The Boilermakers are going to have a lot of work to do on their passing game this season. We ranked them last in the wide receiver group, and last in our tightends group. In 2010 tight end was as solid of a position as the Boilermakers had. With the loss of Kyle Adams and Jeff Lindsay to graduation, there is a list of unknowns. Sterling Carter is a 6-foot-5 240lb Junior College transfer, and will more than likely be the starter in 2011.

11. Penn State: Penn state has not been a breeding ground for tight ends lately. They have a lack of experience coming in to 2011. Kevin Haplea is a 6-foot-4, 250 lb sophomore who caught 3 passes for 39 yards in 2010. After him, there isn’t much experience or production. Andrew Szczerba is a senior, but has seen limited playing time. It will be interesting to see who emerges from this group.

10. Illinois: Evan Williams, will fill in as a safety voulve for quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase as he develops as a passer in 201. He is a 6-foot-0, 215 lb senior from Woodstock, Georgia. He caught 10 passes last season for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns. Behind Williams will be junior Eddie Viliunas, and sophomore Justin Latimore. Latimore has only one catch in his career, but it was for a 33 yard touchdown.

9. Michigan: The Wolverines don’t lack size at the tight end position. Kevin Koger is going to be the number one choice, he is a 6-foot-4,250 lb Ohio native who caught 14 passes in 2010.  Brandon Moore is a 6-foot-5, 26o lb sophomore who pulled in one catch last season. In first year head coach Brady Hoke’s new pro-style offense, these two will be important keys. Both need to improve on blocking and catching.

8.Michigan State: The Spartans are not afraid to showcase there tight ends. At 6-foot-5, 243 lbs, senior Brian Linthicum is atheletic as they came. In 2010 he saw limited playing time, but with the loss of Garrett Celek he will be the clear cut number one, with not a lot of depth behind him.

7. Wisconsin: In a system that features its tight ends, look for senior Jake Byrne to be a big influence on the Badger offense, both blocking and receiving. Byrne is 6-foot-4, 253 lbs and has great technique in run blocking. He caught 5 passes for 43 yards last season. Behind Bryne will be two sophomores.  6-foot-4, 244 lb Jacob Pedersen who had 8 catches for 132 yards, and two touchdowns, and Brian Wozinak.

6. Iowa: Not really sure what the bigger story line is here. The younger guy in sophomore C.J. Fidorowicz who is a very athletic tight end, despite standing 6-foot-7 and 265 lbs. Or the veteran senior Brad Herman. Herman is 6-foot-5, 255 lbs. Someone is going to have to help  pull the coverage off of wide receiver Marvin McNutt. I think Fidorowicz has All-Big potential written all over

5.  Indiana: The Hoosiers return one of the most exciting freshman in the Big 10 last season, Ted Bolser. He is a 6-foot-6 240 lb Cincinnati native. Who is a physical, and dominate force. He caught 27 passes for 407 yards in his freshman campaign and has all the potential to double, maybe even triple those numbers in Indiana’s new system.

4. Minnesota: Eric Lair  pulled in 39 catches for 526 yards in 2010. One of the most productive seasons by any tight end in the country last season. Behind him is junior college transfer Tiree Eure. He is 6-foot-7, 255 lb Allentown, PA native who could compete early for playing time.

3.  Ohio State: With no proven wide receivers Ohio State will need the tight ends to step up to help out who ever the quarterback may be. The Buckeyes return 6-foot-5, 245 lb Jake Stoneburner. He was among the nations most recruited tight ends in the country in 2008, and with the build he has, there is no where to go but up for this kid.  He caught 22 passes for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. Behind Stoneburner is junior Reid Fragel, he contributed 9 catches for 121 yards, and one touchdown last season.

2. Northwestern: Senior Drake Dunsmore played well enough to earn All-Big 10 honors last season. He caught 40 passes for 381 yards for 5 touchdowns. He also threw a couple highlight blocks for quarterback Dan Persa. He will be a force to reckoned with in 2011.  Behind him on the depth chart is John Plasencia. He is a 6-foot-5, 255 lbs sophomore who has a lack of experience, but sitting behind Dunsmore will give him room to grow.

1. Nebraska: With out a doubt the Huskers return the most athletic tight end in the conference in Kyler Reed. Reed is a 6-foot-3, 230 lb junior. Smaller than most tight end he does a good job hiding behind defenses. He caught 22 passes for 395 yards, and 8 touchdowns. On the other side of Reed will be Ben Cotton. Cotton is a 6-foot-6, 255 lb junior who caught 3 passes for 34 yards. Cotton is a big body tight end who is a big time blocker. Look for both of these guys to be in contention for All-Big 10 honors.