Tight Ends Look to Garner Some of the Praise
August 09, 2013 | Football
Aug. 10, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- All the talk at the University of Louisville's Football Media Day centered on the depth and strength of the wide receiver position, but there is a group that requires a little attention as well.
All the hype the wide receivers get is well-deserved, but for the first time in the last four years, the Cardinals have strength in numbers at the tight end position. The Cardinals can legitimately go five deep at tight end and have playmakers that can stretch the field.
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson spoke highly of senior tight end Ryan Hubbell, who stepped in after coming from Iowa Western Community College. The product of Marion, Iowa, caught 14 passes for 239 yards and two scores a year ago. He showed off his burst of speed when he scampered 72 yards for a touchdown versus Temple.
"The most consistent player at the position is Ryan Hubbell," Watson said. "He is under the rad screen nationally because we have so many guys at that spot. He is our most consistent tight end. He has played big for us at tight end and had a good season last year in his first season."
Hubbell accepted the high praise from the head of the offense, and understands he has been successful because he has had a year and a half in the offense.
"It's probably consistency," Hubbell said after Friday's practice. "I've been here and I understand the offense. I don't have a lot of missed assignments and I can teach a lot of the other guys. Having a year playing in a big-time program like this has helped, and getting a year under my belt. I know what too expect."
Junior Gerald Christian, a transfer from Florida, has been at Louisville for over a year, and is the most athletic player in the group. He gives the Cardinals a big target in the passing game and is a player who can stretch the field.
"Gerald is coming along very well," tight ends coach Sherrone Moore said on Friday. "He is a weapon and is going to be relied on heavily. He is so athletic and can make plays. That's going to be a big part of our offense."
In Watson's West Coast offense, the tight end position is one of the keys to the success, and he knows how hard the staff has worked to improve this position and establish depth. He knows he has plenty of toys to play on offense, but likes that he has some finally at the tight end position.
"The tight end position is a room that we have worked really hard at improving," Watson said. "The depth and the skill sets of the players there have really helped the offense. Gerald Christian had a good spring for us. He gives us a lot of multiplicity, along with B.J. Butler and Jalen Harrington. Those guys can do so many little things."
Hubbell is excited at the depth at the tight position, but has high hopes that his group can be labeled one of the best in the entire country.
"I really just want to be focused on the team first," Hubbell said. "We have enough talent in our tight end room now that we're going to be rotated everywhere. It's not so much thinking about expectations for me, but I want our tight end group to be the best in the nation. I think we can be, and other than team goals, I think that would be my next goal is to have our tight end group be the best in the nation."
The Cardinals will put the pads on for the first time this fall, which will make everyone turn up their game to another level. Hubbell knows once he straps on his chin strap, the intensity will pick up immediately.
"It's a lot better with pads on," Hubbell said. "Down in the trenches, people have something to hit so it helps people on the offensive and defensive line. Everyone will be trying to prove themselves."
The entire team will have something to prove, especially the young players, when the Cardinals practice in full pads beginning at 10:30 Saturday morning.
