Looking Ahead to 2013 Husker Football: Tight Ends

Kyler Reed and Ben Cotton were bigger parts of the Nebraska offense while Shawn Watson was the offensive coordinator than once Tim Beck Took over. So how much will Nebraska really miss Reed and Cotton in 2013?

Returning: Jake Long, Sr; Sam Cotton, RFr; Trey Foster, RFr
Incoming: Greg Hart, Verbal; Cethan Carter, Verbal
Departing: Ben Cotton, Kyler Reed, Connor McDermott

Mike: If Nebraska isn't going to offer a scholarship to a junior college tight end, as apparently Brandon Vandenburg was told, then the coaches must feel that Sam Cotton is going to be sufficient. There's no question that Tim Beck hasn't utilized the tight ends as much as Shawn Watson did, and that trend appears likely to continue. Especially when you consider Nebraska's deep receiver corps, I think you'll be seeing more three and four receiver sets in 2013.

Salt Creek: We still have tight ends? Hey look, another Cotton!

Billgrip: This position is totally up for grabs heading into the spring. I haven't been overly impressed with what I've seen from Jake Long to this point, but maybe he just hasn't had enough opportunity to show what he's got. Sam Cotton? Let's hope he's like his brother only faster. Other than that, who knows what we'll see at this position next year. Like Mike said above, this isn't nearly as important of a position under Beck (see Reed, Kyler), but you still need some guys that can stay inside to block and run a route. Don't be totally surprised to see Mike Marrow and/or Quincy Enunwa move over to tight end to help out.

Brian: I don't get how Sam Cotton and Jake Long is the answer till Greg Hart and Cethan Carter learn the system. Hart and Carter could be very solid contributors, but when you could have had Brandon Vandenburg or Beau Sandland or Mitchell Parsons even, it seems like a disappointment. Granted, this could mean Beck is going full spread, but since he likes to run that power I stuff sometimes, you need solid blockers. I do like Brandon's previous suggestion about bringing in extra linemen, but I just think it's the weakest group on the offensive board by far.