The Clemson football tight end room is rather empty as the Tigers heading into the summer. Here’s what to expect from the position.
Clemson football lost two tight ends- Milan Richard and Cannon Smith- to graduation following the 2018 season.
In addition to the two graduates, Garrett Williams made the decision to begin his career in the military early and not play his final year of eligibility, and the expected starter at tight end- Braden Galloway- is now suspended for the entire 2019 season after testing positive for trace amounts of ostarine before the CFB Playoff in December.
With the losses, the Tigers have just three tight ends on scholarship.
Summer Expectations: Tight End
Clemson football will need the tight ends to step up in the summer and get into the weight room for some solid workouts.
JC Chalk, the lone veteran at tight end, will be the expected starter. He is capable of catching some passes, but will be used especially as a lead-blocker in the rushing attack. Outside of Chalk, the Tigers have two true-freshmen at the position in Jaelyn Lay and Davis Allen.
Lay enrolled in January and participated in spring practice, but Allen won’t be enrolling until July. After watching Lay in the spring, it’s clear that he needs to work on his catching ability. He certainly can block and has great athleticism, but isn’t an elite catcher of the football as of yet.
If he can develop some hands, though, Lay could be a great option in the Tigers’ passing attack.
Allen is similar to Chalk, in many ways. He’s a block-first mindset at tight end, but can step out and make a catch. He’s not going to blow anyone away with his speed, but he certainly can be an option for Clemson football this season.
All three guys will get playing time, so it will be important that they use this summer to work on their game and develop their bodies for the upcoming season.