Georgia Tech Football fall camp position preview: Tight Ends
After previewing the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers for Georgia Tech ahead of fall camp, it is time to take a closer look at a position from which the Yellow Jackets need more production in 2023: tight end.
Regarding returning players, Georgia Tech will be bringing back Dylan Leonard, Luke Benson, Anthony Minella, and Billy Ward. After the position struggled last season, head coach Brent Key added some transfers to the group with Brett Seither (Georgia) and Jackson Long (USF) coming to Atlanta during the offseason. Georgia Tech did lose Ben Postma to the transfer portal. New offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner is also going to be coaching this group.
So what is the outlook at this position heading into fall camp?
No tight end on Georgia Tech's roster topped 100 yards or caught a touchdown and that was a problem. Most offenses are going to function better when they have a threat at the tight end position and that will be something that Faulkner is going to be working on. During the spring game, Faulkner did run two tight end sets and moved some guys around, but I am not sure if that is going to be a regular occurrence this season.
During the 2022 season, Leonard led the tight ends with 90 yards receiving on 11 catches and zero touchdowns. He caught four passes for 43 yards in the spring game and I think it is safe to assume that he will be either first or second in the amount of snaps played for the tight end position in 2023.
Dylan Leonard will lead the tight end position for Georgia Tech in 2023
Benson had nine catches for 85 yards after transferring to Georgia Tech from Syracuse. Minella and Ward were not a factor last season, but did see action in the spring game.
How could the new transfer additions help?
Long is a young player that did not play during his lone season at South Florida and is likely a player to watch for the future, but nobody should ever really be counted out at this position this season. The guy I am keeping a close eye on is Seither. He followed Faulkner to Atlanta and their familiarity with each other should allow him to get on the field early and often.
During his career as a Bulldog, Seither recorded four catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. While in Athens, Seither was stuck behind Brock Bowers (the best tight end in the country), Darnell Washington (An NFL draft pick), and four-star freshman Oscar Delp.
Here is what the scouting report was on Seither coming out of high school from 247Sports:
"Tall and muscular tight end who looks like a jumbo wide receiver at the prep level. Legit 6-5 frame and has added bulk over last year. Massive production bump from junior year to senior year with added size. New-age talent built to play in space with improved ability to play in-line at times. Long strider, runs well. Better route-runner than most his size with plus ball skills. Strong red-zone threat. Competitive. Plays with an edge and attitude and can physically overwhelm defensive backs. Too quick for bigger defenders. Wide catch radius. Runs with good lean relative to size and can do damage after the catch more than most. Will need to fill out to become Alpha tight end option at high-end Power Five program but could earn spot duty early on with size and receiving prowess. Willing blocker with great effort. Wants to finish through whistle but needs improved technique and bulk to keep defense honest. Best football still well ahead of him but should be productive in passing game when called upon, something the NFL covets in the modern era. May develop into multi-dimensional balanced tight end or H-back before college career wraps up."
Tight ends are supposed to be receiving threats in the red zone and reliable targets for their quarterbacks. Georgia Tech's were none of those things, evidenced by the numbers.
Heading into fall camp, I think Leonard and Seither are the two guys that will see the bulk of the playing time, but they will have to earn it. Georgia Tech needs something from this group of players in both the passing attack and as blockers in the run game and they can't afford another season where the production is minimal.
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