Spring Breakdown: Tight Ends Embracing Change
After 24 years with the enemy up north and a buffer year in San Antonio, new tight ends coach Jarrett Anderson has arrived in Waco to help Dave Aranda and the Bears return to prominence. And if that's at the expense of his old longtime employer turned rival? Even better.
Right now, the veteran assistant is a little banged up — more on that later — but embracing change and upbeat about his tight ends room, a group affected as much as anyone by the switch in schemes.
This week, Anderson, Gavin Yates, and Matthew Klopfenstein talked about the turnover ahead of the conclusion of spring drills on Saturday.
NEW OFFENSE
The tight ends' switch from Jeff Grimes' TE-heavy outside zone vision to Jake Spavital's Air Raid inspiration is significant, but they're still expected to be heavily involved.
"One of my players said today, 'Hey, coach. I've ran more 15-yard routes than I have in five years here. It's a learning process from playing a little more up-tempo pace than before," Anderson said.
"They've embraced it. I think from football school through now through camp they've kind of understood the process of what we're trying to do. We're still trying to learn some aspects and kind of what we're good at."
True junior Kelsey Johnson is the most notable returnee from last season, especially given the departures of top producers Drake Dabney (TCU) and Jake Roberts (Oklahoma) via the portal.
An opportunity has arrived in their absence, and the brass ring is up for grabs for any number of names.
"It's been hard, no Jake or Drake. But it's also been really good and new beginnings. Someone's got to step up. And so I'm excited to see where things end up as far as getting into the summer, finishing summer up, and getting into fall ball," Klopfenstein said.
As for the stylistic differences besides tempo, Klopfenstein also added, "I'd say we're split out more, for sure. A lot less tight ends. But we're definitely put in more crucial positions to do the bigger job."
The whole picture won't come into focus until fall, but however it works out, no one seems worried about their potential impact next season.
"We're gonna get used and there's a reason that the tight ends stuck around and they didn't all transfer. So I think that speaks more volumes than anything else," Gavin Yates said matter of factly.
SPRING STANDOUTS
The current room includes Johnson, the seasoned junior, senior veteran Yates, and sophomore Klopfenstein, plus transfer pickup Michael Trigg, redshirt sophomore Cody Mladenka, and redshirt freshman Hawkins Polley.
Through thirteen practice outings, Anderson said he's seen different names emerge at various times.
"[Gavin] Yates has a role that he plays in the blocking scheme. Trigg made a play today out there. Kelsey, he just dinged up his shoulder a little bit, so he wasn't out there today. They've all contributed in different ways. Even Cody [Mladenka]. Cody made a play the other day in the scrimmage and it was good to see him and Hawk has too."
The news of Johnson's injury didn't seem serious, but two practices remain, so don't be surprised if he's inactive on Saturday. If not, great news.
Since arriving from Ole Miss, highly coveted transfer Michael Trigg has made a positive impression on his new position coach and his new teammates.
"Trigg came in and started hitting the ground running. I'd say he's been a big asset for the offense," Klopfenstein said. "And also Cody Mladenka. He's been kind of just playing free, I'd say. So he's grown up and started making big plays this spring. So really proud of him."
Spreading the love around, Gavin Yates praised Klopfenstein for making the most impressive jump this spring as he seeks to strike the right balance between pass catcher and run blocker.
"I think now he's kind of really putting it all together, being really physical in the run game, and being really crisp with his routes. And he already has really good hands," Yates said. "He's took a really big jump, and he's right in the competition with everyone."
GAVIN YATES
Even away from his tight ends, Jarrett Anderson is always easy to spot at practices, given the large brace and sling he wears. The root cause was unknown until Anderson happily provided the details this week. As it turns out, he was involved in an accidental and unexpected collision during practice with Yates, who was simply running a route in the middle of the field.
The result was a torn rotator cuff and a separated shoulder. So you'll understand the good-natured but incessant ribbing Anderson lobs Yates' way.
"It's hard because you could tell he felt bad from that situation. I said things happen. I said accidents happen. And I said I don't expect you to change the way you are, the way you do things. I expect you to go 100% all the time," Anderson revealed.
That includes pushing the senior from Frisco to help lead the way this season, and not just for the tight ends room.
"I told Gavin, I want you to know, you're the older veteran. I said, I want you to be the leader of this group and try to have a voice and kind of get guys going from that standpoint. And I think he's done a good job," he relayed.
"And sometimes, I told him, you have to take a bigger role amongst the whole offensive group, saying that."
Yates says being a leader comes naturally, and nothing's all that different this year. He's not rising out of the shadows but looking after more of the "little things" without fellow vets like Drake Dabney and Jake Roberts. That includes becoming more vocal and helping guide the younger players with wisdom only earned through experience.
"So I don't think that's a big jump or something that I can't handle," Yates said. "But I think that I've definitely taken a more great leadership spot with the tight ends."