The TE room (with new transfer)

[gamecockcat]

At first glance, it appears that Rodriguez is the only one in the room that is a true pass-catching threat. Is that an accurate read of the room? Kattus is certainly a blocker first. He's made a few catches and had some really bad drops, so I don't know if he's your 3rd-and-long TE very often. The huge transfer definitely looks like a blocker. Maybe in short yardage or goal line situations, we might use his size to our advantage, but, again, I don't expect to see him much on 3rd-and-long.

Is Brown a potential threat as a receiver? The limited writeup noted 'solid' blocking numbers on so many snaps. Which that leads me to believe that he's not looked at as a receiving threat as much as another blocker.

Based on my own limited knowledge and perception, I'd say we'll see a lot of 10 sets in passing situations (i.e., no TE, 1 RB). That leads me to believe the staff has more confidence in the OL/QB than they had last year when we had 1, sometimes 2 TEs on the field to help with pass pro.

 

[TuckyFB]

All the TE's are blockers first in a Mark Stoops offense.

We haven't consistently thrown to a TE since CJ Conrad was on the team.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

At first glance, it appears that Rodriguez is the only one in the room that is a true pass-catching threat. Is that an accurate read of the room? Kattus is certainly a blocker first. He's made a few catches and had some really bad drops, so I don't know if he's your 3rd-and-long TE very often. The huge transfer definitely looks like a blocker. Maybe in short yardage or goal line situations, we might use his size to our advantage, but, again, I don't expect to see him much on 3rd-and-long.

Is Brown a potential threat as a receiver? The limited writeup noted 'solid' blocking numbers on so many snaps. Which that leads me to believe that he's not looked at as a receiving threat as much as another blocker.

Based on my own limited knowledge and perception, I'd say we'll see a lot of 10 sets in passing situations (i.e., no TE, 1 RB). That leads me to believe the staff has more confidence in the OL/QB than they had last year when we had 1, sometimes 2 TEs on the field to help with pass pro.

Skinner could be really good as a receiving TE.

 

[K_TIME]

Isn't Skinner mainly a pure pass catching TE in addition to Rodriguez?

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

Isn't Skinner mainly a pure pass catching TE in addition to Rodriguez?

Skinner certainly catches a lot of flack from Superintendent Chalmers.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Isn't Skinner mainly a pure pass catching TE in addition to Rodriguez?

Expected to impact this year, he is fast, quick and aggressive. Wherever he lines up in our offense he is said to be an aggressive blocker.

 

[gamecockcat]

Sorry - I've never heard of him. He's not listed in the brief write-up about Brown, nor is he listed on the roster in the two different places I've looked. So, I don't know who Skinner is (besides a very poor elementary school teacher who's 'seeing' Ms. Crabapple).

 

[Cole World]

Sorry - I've never heard of him. He's not listed in the brief write-up about Brown, nor is he listed on the roster in the two different places I've looked. So, I don't know who Skinner is (besides a very poor elementary school teacher who's 'seeing' Ms. Crabapple).

Mikkel Skinner

ukathletics.com

 

[gamecockcat]

OK - third time is the charm. Mikkel Skinner from Greer, SC. IIRC, he's a true FR, right? Don't know if Stoops has ever relied on a true FR to get a lot of meaningful snaps at that position. I'm assuming he wasn't in spring practice so maybe that's why the Brown announcement didn't mention him - a guess. Skinner does possess the physical attributes to be more of a receiver but I don't know anything about him. Sorry for the omission.

 

[Johnfarrel]

All the TE's are blockers first in a Mark Stoops offense.

We haven't consistently thrown to a TE since CJ Conrad was on the team.

We ain't had a CJ Conrad on the team since CJ Conrad.

 

[Boz]

If you ask Marrow, they are the best TE room in the nation. We have at least 3 future NFL picks

 

[seccats04]

If you ask Marrow, they are the best TE room in the nation. We have at least 3 future NFL picks

And they’ll catch a combined ten passes this year for about 75 yards.

 

[screwduke1]

We ain't had a CJ Conrad on the team since CJ Conrad.

Even if we did we would struggle to get them the ball. Hell even Conrad was probably not used as much as he should have been.

 

[gamecockcat]

I know we all pretty much agree that we underuse our TEs and have for some time. I hope that truism is done away with this year.

But, as much as I like using the TE, aren't some of you remembering CJ as a much better player than he actually was? We don't know, in another system, if he'd have been a stud. But, he didn't get a sniff in the NFL. And, maybe in addition to our QBs during his time at UK being challenged in the passing game, maybe he just wasn't open that often.

We've seen many of our opponents TEs who were bigger and faster than CJ. We've had several in Blue and White that were bigger and faster who also never saw action in the NFL. It's not like he was Brock Bowers or the seemingly endless supply of Iowa TEs - at least I never thought so. I always thought he could have contributed more had we run a different system and had a better throwing QB. But, let's not kid ourselves, he wasn't AA caliber regardless of how he was used. The physical gifts just weren't there.

 

[bigbluedon]

I know we all pretty much agree that we underuse our TEs and have for some time. I hope that truism is done away with this year.

But, as much as I like using the TE, aren't some of you remembering CJ as a much better player than he actually was? We don't know, in another system, if he'd have been a stud. But, he didn't get a sniff in the NFL. And, maybe in addition to our QBs during his time at UK being challenged in the passing game, maybe he just wasn't open that often.

We've seen many of our opponents TEs who were bigger and faster than CJ. We've had several in Blue and White that were bigger and faster who also never saw action in the NFL. It's not like he was Brock Bowers or the seemingly endless supply of Iowa TEs - at least I never thought so. I always thought he could have contributed more had we run a different system and had a better throwing QB. But, let's not kid ourselves, he wasn't AA caliber regardless of how he was used. The physical gifts just weren't there.

Well said.

 

[Soupbean]

I know we all pretty much agree that we underuse our TEs and have for some time. I hope that truism is done away with this year.

But, as much as I like using the TE, aren't some of you remembering CJ as a much better player than he actually was? We don't know, in another system, if he'd have been a stud. But, he didn't get a sniff in the NFL. And, maybe in addition to our QBs during his time at UK being challenged in the passing game, maybe he just wasn't open that often.

We've seen many of our opponents TEs who were bigger and faster than CJ. We've had several in Blue and White that were bigger and faster who also never saw action in the NFL. It's not like he was Brock Bowers or the seemingly endless supply of Iowa TEs - at least I never thought so. I always thought he could have contributed more had we run a different system and had a better throwing QB. But, let's not kid ourselves, he wasn't AA caliber regardless of how he was used. The physical gifts just weren't there.

Yeah CJ was good but not Jacob Tamme and James Whalen good.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I know we all pretty much agree that we underuse our TEs and have for some time. I hope that truism is done away with this year.

But, as much as I like using the TE, aren't some of you remembering CJ as a much better player than he actually was? We don't know, in another system, if he'd have been a stud. But, he didn't get a sniff in the NFL. And, maybe in addition to our QBs during his time at UK being challenged in the passing game, maybe he just wasn't open that often.

We've seen many of our opponents TEs who were bigger and faster than CJ. We've had several in Blue and White that were bigger and faster who also never saw action in the NFL. It's not like he was Brock Bowers or the seemingly endless supply of Iowa TEs - at least I never thought so. I always thought he could have contributed more had we run a different system and had a better throwing QB. But, let's not kid ourselves, he wasn't AA caliber regardless of how he was used. The physical gifts just weren't there.

You are correct. Either they are physical specimens but not nearly the skilled athletes our fans think. Alternatively they are athletes but not nearly physical enough.

If we could Frankenstein these guys together wed really have something, but we cant.

Imo willie is the most complete we had so far.

 

[rick64]

Stoops doesn't believe in passing to a TE.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Stoops doesn't believe in passing to a TE.

Just stop. It was never true. And Hamdan uses his TEs. All you have to do is read the stat page. But TEs are not supposed to catch more passes than WRs.

And AFAICS, we haven't had an every down TE who can catch and block like Willie Rodriguez in this program since CJ Conrad, and I think Rodriguez has the higher ceiling.

 

[Rembrandt90]

At first glance, it appears that Rodriguez is the only one in the room that is a true pass-catching threat. Is that an accurate read of the room? Kattus is certainly a blocker first. He's made a few catches and had some really bad drops, so I don't know if he's your 3rd-and-long TE very often. The huge transfer definitely looks like a blocker. Maybe in short yardage or goal line situations, we might use his size to our advantage, but, again, I don't expect to see him much on 3rd-and-long.

Is Brown a potential threat as a receiver? The limited writeup noted 'solid' blocking numbers on so many snaps. Which that leads me to believe that he's not looked at as a receiving threat as much as another blocker.

Based on my own limited knowledge and perception, I'd say we'll see a lot of 10 sets in passing situations (i.e., no TE, 1 RB). That leads me to believe the staff has more confidence in the OL/QB than they had last year when we had 1, sometimes 2 TEs on the field to help with pass pro.

Willie Rodriguez- High ceiling. Every down type player. Probably our most skilled TE since CJ Conrad, if not longer. Should really blow up as an SEC player this year.

Josh Kattus- Good blocker, high motor, pretty good size. Good hands but not very athletic. Nonetheless, he has caught a handful of important passes at UK.

Mikkel Skinner- At his current size, he isn't a inline SEC blocker. So he can't play as a conventional TE until he adds another 20# of muscle and learns how to block SEC LBs. But he can do some blocking on the move as an H back because he has good feet and quickness. He is very athletic, with speed and good hands. He can play in the slot and can even be split out. Good player.

Henry Boyer- Limited college playing experience, and did not produce in IL's passing game. But he is huge, and is a high level blocker. A situational player who will make a difference in UK's running game. But that doesn't mean he won't occasionally catch a pass.

Elijah Brown- Highly regarded athlete when he graduated from Wayne hs in Dayton, where he was the #10 overall prospect in the state of OH at the time. Coach Marrow attempted to recruit him at Wayne hs, but he signed with AL. He got lost on the bench at AL as many players tend to do, and ended up at FAU, where he was in the playing rotation and also played on STs. Brown has a very long frame, a lot of raw talent, and 2 seasons of eligibility left. There is a lot for Coach Marrow to work with, and I suspect Marrow will make an SEC football player out of Brown.

It is important to recognize that nobody on the offense can look good when the OL is inept, as it was in 2024. AFAICS, UK's OL made a lot of progress this fall, especially our inbound transfers. That will make everyone on our offense better. And I have a higher opinion of Calzada than most other posters.

 

[satcheluk]

OK - third time is the charm. Mikkel Skinner from Greer, SC. IIRC, he's a true FR, right? Don't know if Stoops has ever relied on a true FR to get a lot of meaningful snaps at that position. I'm assuming he wasn't in spring practice so maybe that's why the Brown announcement didn't mention him - a guess. Skinner does possess the physical attributes to be more of a receiver but I don't know anything about him. Sorry for the omission.

As per 247: "Mikkel Skinner’s 40-yard dash time is reported as 4.62 seconds, per a 247Sports evaluation from October 2024. This time was verified during the spring before his senior season and is notable for a prospect weighing over 220 pounds, positioning him among the fastest in the 2025 recruiting cycle for his size. As a four-star tight end recruit for Kentucky, this speed underscores his athletic profile as a versatile “new-age F tight end” capable of stretching the field."

"The fastest 40-yard dash times for tight ends at the NFL Combine are 4.40 seconds (Vernon Davis, 2006; Dorin Dickerson, 2010), with Devin Culp’s 4.47 (2024) and Terrance Ferguson’s 4.63 (2025) leading recent years. The average time hovers around 4.73-4.80 seconds, based on 2022 data and 2025 trends. Mikkel Skinner’s reported 4.62-second 40, while not Combine-tested, is elite for a high school tight end, suggesting he could compete with top prospects if he maintains or improves this speed at Kentucky."

Freshman TEs typically haven't played much recently because blocking has been their sole responsibility, but it has been reported that Hamdan is looking to go 12 personnel heavy which may allow him to see the field some as a receiver. He's extremely athletic for someone that size and you can see his speed numbers.

 

[sieken]

As per 247: "Mikkel Skinner’s 40-yard dash time is reported as 4.62 seconds, per a 247Sports evaluation from October 2024. This time was verified during the spring before his senior season and is notable for a prospect weighing over 220 pounds, positioning him among the fastest in the 2025 recruiting cycle for his size. As a four-star tight end recruit for Kentucky, this speed underscores his athletic profile as a versatile “new-age F tight end” capable of stretching the field."

"The fastest 40-yard dash times for tight ends at the NFL Combine are 4.40 seconds (Vernon Davis, 2006; Dorin Dickerson, 2010), with Devin Culp’s 4.47 (2024) and Terrance Ferguson’s 4.63 (2025) leading recent years. The average time hovers around 4.73-4.80 seconds, based on 2022 data and 2025 trends. Mikkel Skinner’s reported 4.62-second 40, while not Combine-tested, is elite for a high school tight end, suggesting he could compete with top prospects if he maintains or improves this speed at Kentucky."

Freshman TEs typically haven't played much recently because blocking has been their sole responsibility, but it has been reported that Hamdan is looking to go 12 personnel heavy which may allow him to see the field some as a receiver. He's extremely athletic for someone that size and you can see his speed numbers.

Good hands hopefully to go with that speed. It would be malpractice to not use Skinner and Rodriquez over the middle when they have an athletic advantage over the middle backers. The chip release is deadly when done right, and catches teams totally off guard when they think you're going heavy on the goal line to run the ball.

 

[satcheluk]

Yeah CJ was good but not Jacob Tamme and James Whalen good.

Most don't remember, but Whalen was a 6'2" 210 walk on transfer from some Jr College in California. He wouldn't have played TE in the SEC these days.

 

[satcheluk]

Stoops doesn't believe in passing to a TE.

Stoops doesn't call the plays and our TEs haven't left the pocket since the BBW crumbled.

 

[satcheluk]

Good hands hopefully to go with that speed. It would be malpractice to not use Skinner and Rodriquez over the middle when they have an athletic advantage over the middle backers. The chip release is deadly when done right, and catches teams totally off guard when they think you're going heavy on the goal line to run the ball.

Agreed, though I suspect he'll be even better once he can block too because if he's on the field in the fall, he's running routes, so the LBs don't have guess.

 

[Soupbean]

Most don't remember, but Whalen was a 6'2" 210 walk on transfer from some Jr College in California. He wouldn't have played TE in the SEC these days.

It was really one of the most underappreaciated stories ever. I remember hearing Dick Gabriel or someone interviewing his Dad in the off season when he came to Kentucky as a walk on and they had been sending tapes everywhere trying to find Jimmy a place. I remember thinking nice story but he's just a walk on so . . .

Then 4 years later the guy was one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the country. I remember one of the ESPN talking heads saying something to affects on sportcenter one night about him. Guy was catching 12 balls a game.

 

[truebluewildcat]

One of the biggest issues in the CMS era has been the lack of tight production.

He either refuses to integrate them into the passing game or he doesn’t know how.

Either way it’s probably cost us first downs and scores most likely enough to add up to about a couple wins a year.

 

[gamecockcat]

One of the biggest issues in the CMS era has been the lack of tight production.

He either refuses to integrate them into the passing game or he doesn’t know how.

Either way it’s probably cost us first downs and scores most likely enough to add up to about a couple wins a year.

To your point, we haven't really used the TE as a weapon under Stoops. Yes, they do catch some balls but it seems like the TE is NEVER the #1 option. We haven't exploited matchups with our TE.

Now, there could be a lot of reasons for this:
1) Our TEs just haven't been good enough to use liberally
2) Our offensive scheme/play design does not feature the TE to exploit their matchup
3) Our QBs haven't been very good at recognizing coverages and finding the TE
4) Our OL hasn't been consistently good at pass pro and the QB rarely has enough time to get through his progressions to get to the TE
5) (Certainly last year), our OL was so bad we needed extra blockers almost every passing down and used TEs in that role
6) We play a slow brand of football and run the ball a lot - there's just not many opportunities for any receivers, not just TEs

And probably a few more that I didn't list. What has baffled me for a while is that one would think in a ball protection, grind it out system, using the TE for short/intermediate passes would be a natural fit. 6-10 yard catches to move the chains. It seems like we've been so caught up in seeking 'explosive' plays that we're forcing the issue instead of taking the 8-yard pass over the middle to the TE for a first down. JMHO

 

[sieken]

To your point, we haven't really used the TE as a weapon under Stoops. Yes, they do catch some balls but it seems like the TE is NEVER the #1 option. We haven't exploited matchups with our TE.

Now, there could be a lot of reasons for this:
1) Our TEs just haven't been good enough to use liberally
2) Our offensive scheme/play design does not feature the TE to exploit their matchup
3) Our QBs haven't been very good at recognizing coverages and finding the TE
4) Our OL hasn't been consistently good at pass pro and the QB rarely has enough time to get through his progressions to get to the TE
5) (Certainly last year), our OL was so bad we needed extra blockers almost every passing down and used TEs in that role
6) We play a slow brand of football and run the ball a lot - there's just not many opportunities for any receivers, not just TEs

And probably a few more that I didn't list. What has baffled me for a while is that one would think in a ball protection, grind it out system, using the TE for short/intermediate passes would be a natural fit. 6-10 yard catches to move the chains. It seems like we've been so caught up in seeking 'explosive' plays that we're forcing the issue instead of taking the 8-yard pass over the middle to the TE for a first down. JMHO

To add to your last point, the QB has to have supreme confidence in the TE. The throws to them are usually trouble throws into traffic, the qb has to trust they are going to either catch it or make sure it isn't caught.

 

[truebluewildcat]

To your point, we haven't really used the TE as a weapon under Stoops. Yes, they do catch some balls but it seems like the TE is NEVER the #1 option. We haven't exploited matchups with our TE.

Now, there could be a lot of reasons for this:
1) Our TEs just haven't been good enough to use liberally
2) Our offensive scheme/play design does not feature the TE to exploit their matchup
3) Our QBs haven't been very good at recognizing coverages and finding the TE
4) Our OL hasn't been consistently good at pass pro and the QB rarely has enough time to get through his progressions to get to the TE
5) (Certainly last year), our OL was so bad we needed extra blockers almost every passing down and used TEs in that role
6) We play a slow brand of football and run the ball a lot - there's just not many opportunities for any receivers, not just TEs

And probably a few more that I didn't list. What has baffled me for a while is that one would think in a ball protection, grind it out system, using the TE for short/intermediate passes would be a natural fit. 6-10 yard catches to move the chains. It seems like we've been so caught up in seeking 'explosive' plays that we're forcing the issue instead of taking the 8-yard pass over the middle to the TE for a first down. JMHO

To add to your last point, the QB has to have supreme confidence in the TE. The throws to them are usually trouble throws into traffic, the qb has to trust they are going to either catch it or make sure it isn't caught.

The thing about a TE is you don't have to have exceptional talent, athleticism, speed at that position for it to be used effectively and get decent production.

The other great thing about the TE is you also don't have to have exceptional talent at QB.

You need good hands and somebody who can draw up a high school level play to scheme them open.

That's the great thing about TEs and why they exploded to what they are in the modern game.

Pretty much every other position you need to be above average to elite. Especially in the SEC.

A game changing, big play making WR has to be a freak. A consistent RB capable of carrying the offense and breaking loose has to be a thoroughbred. Upper tier OL has to be equal parts monster, broadside of barn, and quick footed athlete.

A TE just kind of has to be in the right spot at the right time and/or matched up against a smaller DB or slower LB.

There wasn't anything overwhelmingly exceptional about Jacob Tamme. He was reliable, he could catch, and Joker could draw up a pass play. There wasn't anything exceptional about Andre Woodson. He almost didn't win the gig.

Papaw Brooks backed off, let the OC, offense and staff loose. Joker and Sanders could coach/develop diamond in the rough, not highly sought after skill talent and game plan, play call, execute with said talent.

 

[sieken]

The thing about a TE is you don't have to have exceptional talent, athleticism, speed at that position for it to be used effectively and get decent production.

The other great thing about the TE is you also don't have to have exceptional talent at QB.

You need good hands and somebody who can draw up a high school level play to scheme them open.

That's the great thing about TEs and why they exploded to what they are in the modern game.

Pretty much every other position you need to be above average to elite. Especially in the SEC.

A game changing, big play making WR has to be a freak. A consistent RB capable of carrying the offense and breaking lose has to be a thoroughbred. Upper tier OL has to be equal parts monster, broadside of barn, and quick footed athlete.

A TE just kind of has to be in the right spot at the right time and/or matched up against a smaller DB or slower LB.

There wasn't anything overwhelmingly exceptional about Jacob Tamme. He was reliable, he could catch, and Joker could draw up a pass play. There wasn't anything exceptional about Andre Woodson. He almost didn't win the gig.

Papaw Brooks backed off, let the OC, offense and staff loose. Joker and Sanders could coach/develop diamond in the rough, not highly sought after skill talent and game plan, play call, execute with said talent.

You can't throw bullets (Levis), can't throw behind them (Brock, Wilson), where you typically throw to the TE, that's a recipe for turnovers, sometimes turnovers that change the scoreboard. The rest I agree with.

 

[satcheluk]

It was really one of the most underappreaciated stories ever. I remember hearing Dick Gabriel or someone interviewing his Dad in the off season when he came to Kentucky as a walk on and they had been sending tapes everywhere trying to find Jimmy a place. I remember thinking nice story but he's just a walk on so . . .

Then 4 years later the guy was one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the country. I remember one of the ESPN talking heads saying something to affects on sportcenter one night about him. Guy was catching 12 balls a game.

His mother made those tapes using a camcorder and sending VHS tapes to every school. He wasn't really a TE. He was a big WR who lined up in TE sets, but almost never blocked. Really was a joy to watch him make catches over the middle and I remember vividly when he dislocated his elbow. Heart breaking!

 

[Kybluedude]

His mother made those tapes using a camcorder and sending VHS tapes to every school. He wasn't really a TE. He was a big WR who lined up in TE sets, but almost never blocked. Really was a joy to watch him make catches over the middle and I remember vividly when he dislocated his elbow. Heart breaking!

James was so good. Reliable and clutch. Bonner sure trusted and depended on him and could find him. Didn’t JW play some NFL ball?

 

[BigTyrone]

Conrad was good, but the last time we properly utilized a pass catching TE was Jacob Tamme. Derek Smith was ok. James Whalen killed it.

 

[satcheluk]

James was so good. Reliable and clutch. Bonner sure trusted and depended on him and could find him. Didn’t JW play some NFL ball?

He did, for my Cowboys. He played for a few seasons, though most of his snaps were on special teams. I think he may have caught 15-20 passes his rookie year.

 

[billoliver40]

Okay just to be REAL unpopular:
I'm laying a good bt of blame on our TE group on the position coach. Who I believe doesn't "coach" at all. I really don't know if many P4 teams have a dedicated TE coach or they fall under the receivers...but anyway, every year we hear how absolutely phenomenal this group is, and every year they end up small offensive linemen.
Outside of CJ Conrad, maybe Tamme and Whalen I can not remember a Kentucky TE that had to be schemes around, while every year Georgia or Florida or Missouri or any other SEC team had a guy that carved us up in that position.

I cannot help but doubt that our staff not only cannot recognize, develop and use a Tight End, I am doubting our defensive coordinators can in some way take them into account.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Okay just to be REAL unpopular:
I'm laying a good bt of blame on our TE group on the position coach. Who I believe doesn't "coach" at all. I really don't know if many P4 teams have a dedicated TE coach or they fall under the receivers...but anyway, every year we hear how absolutely phenomenal this group is, and every year they end up small offensive linemen.
Outside of CJ Conrad, maybe Tamme and Whalen I can not remember a Kentucky TE that had to be schemes around, while every year Georgia or Florida or Missouri or any other SEC team had a guy that carved us up in that position.

I cannot help but doubt that our staff not only cannot recognize, develop and use a Tight End, I am doubting our defensive coordinators can in some way take them into account.

BS

 

[gamecockcat]

BS

To be fair, since Stoops/Marrow have arrived, we have heard the Big Dog many seasons talk about how great the TE room is and how many future NFL players are in that room. How many have actually made an NFL team since they arrived - I'll hang up and listen.

While I don't necessarily agree with BBI's conclusion in his post (that the staff can't identify, develop and properly use a TE), the complete lack of production on the field (relative to other P4 teams generally) and UK TEs in the NFL surely is enough evidence to at least consider whether BBI is correct or not, isn't it? I think BBI was actually being a bit too nice - I can't imagine any/many teams schemed around CJ Conrad. I mean, really? To relate his post to another position: since we only have 1 QB in the NFL (and he's struggling to keep a job after being a 2nd round pick), isn't it reasonable to conclude that UK hasn't been very good at identifying and developing QB talent since Stoops has been here? Other than Coen's first season with Levis, we haven't had much of a passing attack at all and none of our QBs have had so much as a glance at the NFL.

Rembrandt, you do this board a service with all the information you post and I appreciate it. But, sometimes I feel like you let your Royal Blue glasses tint your opinions. The truth is, we have recruited several TE prospects over the past 7+ years that other big time programs were after. And, almost all of them were, to BBI's point, used as much or more as a blocker than as a receiving weapon. Did opposing DC's have to scheme around any TE in the past however many years at UK? It may not be exactly statistically true, but the fanbase has FOR YEARS complained about how little we use TEs and how several opponents carve us up every year using theirs.

There was a thread a few months ago about this and someone posted that our TE group was something like #3 in the conference last year in yards or a couple of years ago. While true, the gulf between #1 and #2 and UK's TE group was on the order of 600 yards (may have been more). Then you watch Penn State and Iowa and many other teams who use the TE a lot more than UK. It should make a fan wonder: is it talent or scheme that prevents UK from having a weapon at TE? If it's talent, then BBI's post is at least partially accurate. If it's scheme, then again, his post is at least partially accurate.

 

[Boz]

Marrow is big part of the problem. He is an average TE at best and slipping as a recruiter. He's not the same Vince of 5-7 years ago. A Fat belly and age gets us all.

 

[satcheluk]

Okay just to be REAL unpopular:
I'm laying a good bt of blame on our TE group on the position coach. Who I believe doesn't "coach" at all. I really don't know if many P4 teams have a dedicated TE coach or they fall under the receivers...but anyway, every year we hear how absolutely phenomenal this group is, and every year they end up small offensive linemen.
Outside of CJ Conrad, maybe Tamme and Whalen I can not remember a Kentucky TE that had to be schemes around, while every year Georgia or Florida or Missouri or any other SEC team had a guy that carved us up in that position.

I cannot help but doubt that our staff not only cannot recognize, develop and use a Tight End, I am doubting our defensive coordinators can in some way take them into account.

One of the greatest signs of intelligence is recognizing we don't know what we don't know. It seems you have allowed whatever biases you may have to guide this opinion without looking into the data to confirm whatever suspicion you arrived at without any research. Below I will provide some data for context.

Average Receiving Statistics for SEC Tight Ends (2024-2025)​

To estimate averages, I’ll draw from top tight end performances in the SEC, as listed in sources like PFF, WalterFootball, and ESPN, and adjust for the broader pool (including lesser-used players). The SEC’s 2024 season featured 16 teams, each with 1-3 scholarship tight ends, totaling approximately 32-48 active tight ends. Not all play significant snaps, so averages skew lower than top performers.

Key Individual Stats (2024)

• Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt): 94 receptions, 840 yards, 5 TDs, 12 games (PFF’s most valuable SEC tight end, 26 contested catches). Per game: 7.8 receptions, 70.0 yards, 0.42 TDs.
  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-tight-ends-to-know-2026-nfl-draft
• Mason Taylor (LSU): 41 receptions, 506 yards, 2 TDs, 12 games. Per game: 3.4 receptions, 42.2 yards, 0.17 TDs.
  https://walterfootball.com/TERankings2025.php
• Caden Prieskorn (Ole Miss): 10 receptions, 136 yards, 2 TDs in the Peach Bowl alone, with 422 yards over 8 games in 2023 (projected 500+ yards in 2024). Per game: ~3.0 receptions, ~41.7 yards, ~0.2 TDs.
  • Kentucky Tight Ends (Dingle, Kattus): Combined 14 receptions, ~200 yards, ~2 TDs across 12 games (14.9% of team receptions). Per game (assuming 2 TEs): 0.6 receptions, 8.3 yards, 0.08 TDs.
    https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/fantasy/tight-end-stats-that-matter-fantasy-football-2024/
    https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/fantasy/tight-end-stats-that-matter-fantasy-football-2024/
    Estimated SEC-Wide Averages
    • Receptions: Top tight ends (e.g., Stowers, Taylor) average 3-8 receptions per game, but many (e.g., Kentucky’s TEs, backup TEs) see 0-1. Assuming 1-2 primary TEs per team (16 teams) average 3.5 receptions and backups average 0.5, the league-wide average is ~1.5-2.0 receptions per game (~18-24 receptions per season).
    • Yards: Elite TEs like Stowers (70.0 yards/game) and Taylor (42.2) contrast with low-output TEs (e.g., Kentucky’s 8.3). Averaging across 32-48 TEs, the estimate is 15-25 yards per game (~180-300 yards per season).
    • Touchdowns: Top TEs score 0.2-0.8 TDs per game, but most have 0-2 per season. League-wide average: 0.1-0.2 TDs per game (~1-2 TDs per season).
    • SEC TEs likely see 2-3 targets per game for starters, ~0.5 for backups, averaging 1-1.5 targets per game league-wide.
    • 
      
    • Estimated SEC-Wide Averages
    • Receptions: Top tight ends (e.g., Stowers, Taylor) average 3-8 receptions per game, but many (e.g., Kentucky’s TEs, backup TEs) see 0-1. Assuming 1-2 primary TEs per team (16 teams) average 3.5 receptions and backups average 0.5, the league-wide average is ~1.5-2.0 receptions per game (~18-24 receptions per season).
    • Yards: Elite TEs like Stowers (70.0 yards/game) and Taylor (42.2) contrast with low-output TEs (e.g., Kentucky’s 8.3). Averaging across 32-48 TEs, the estimate is 15-25 yards per game (~180-300 yards per season).
    • Touchdowns: Top TEs score 0.2-0.8 TDs per game, but most have 0-2 per season. League-wide average: 0.1-0.2 TDs per game (~1-2 TDs per season).
    • Targets: Targets are less reported, but NFL tight ends average 4-6 targets per game for starters (FantasyPros). SEC TEs likely see 2-3 targets per game for starters, ~0.5 for backups, averaging 1-1.5 targets per game league-wide.

  • Blocking vs. Receiving Snaps​

    
    Splitting snaps into blocking (run or pass protection) versus receiving (route-running) is not directly reported for college football. NFL data provides a proxy, as SEC offenses mirror pro-style schemes. Per Lineups.com, NFL TEs like Travis Kelce (80% snaps) split ~60% receiving (routes) and ~40% blocking (run/pass protection). Blocking TEs (e.g., Kentucky’s Kattus) may see 70-80% blocking snaps, while receiving TEs (e.g., Stowers) see 60-70% receiving.
    
    
    
    
    
    SEC Estimate:
    • Blocking Snaps: Run-heavy SEC teams (e.g., Kentucky, Alabama) use 12 personnel (2 TEs) frequently (e.g., Kentucky’s 44.1%, Ole Miss’s 51.4% vs. Kentucky). Assuming 50% of plays are runs (ESPN stats) and TEs block on 80% of run plays plus 20% of pass plays (pass protection), ~50-60% of TE snaps are blocking. For 15-20 snaps/game, this is 7.5-12 blocking snaps per game (~90-144 per season).
    • Receiving Snaps: TEs run routes on ~80% of pass plays (40 snaps/game in pass-heavy games). With 40-50% of plays as passes, TEs average 40-50% receiving snaps (route-running), or 6-10 receiving snaps per game (~72-120 per season).entucky Example: Dingle/Kattus’s 14 receptions on 362 snaps suggest ~90% blocking (326 blocking snaps, 36 receiving snaps over 5 games). League-wide, versatile TEs like Stowers likely balance closer to 60% receiving, 40% blocking.
    • PFF Insights: Stowers’s 80.1 run-blocking grade and 94 catches indicate ~50-60% receiving snaps, while Kentucky’s TEs (low targets, high snaps) skew 70-80% blocking. League average likely splits 55% blocking, 45% receiving for primary TEs, with backups skewing toward blocking.

    • Summary of Estimates (Per Tight End, 12-Game Season)​

      • Receiving Stats:
        • Receptions: 18-24 (1.5-2.0 per game)
        • Yards: 180-300 (15-25 per game)
        • Touchdowns: 1-2 (0.1-0.2 per game)
        • Targets: 12-18 (1-1.5 per game)
        • Yards per Reception: 10-12
      • Usage Stats:
        • Total Snaps: 180-240 (15-20 per game)
        • Blocking Snaps: 90-144 (7.5-12 per game, ~55% of snaps)
        • Receiving Snaps (Routes): 72-120 (6-10 per game, ~45% of snaps)
        • Routes Run: 120-180 (10-15 per game)