I caught up with friend of the pod, and Jackrabbit Tight End coach, Chris Meyers to discuss his tight end room. He is very optimistic and believes that he has the best room in the country even with the graduation of Zach Heins and Swiss army knife, Mike Morgan and their combined 36 receptions for 505 yards and 7 TDs from 2023. This is a group that had some top notch recruits for multiple classes in a row but have been forced to sit before and watch NFL caliber TEs. Meyers stressed that this is a wide open competition and that different guys will play different roles in different packages vs. the Zach Heins warhorse model of him playing nearly every snap. Meyers believes that the depth is better this year overall.
Fan favorite #44 Kevin Brenner (6-2, 240, SR) is back for his senior year! The converted defensive end has become a really solid H-Back for this offense and Meyers says he is the energizer of the group. We all know Brenner brings physicality to the table and a run-through-the-wall mentality. Meyers assured me that Brenner would still be a core special teams players so we can continue to look forward to seeing his play making on that unit.
#43 Andrew Gustad (6-0, 230, SO) is a converted linebacker and really the only true fullback of the group. Gustad is super smart and a favorite amongst teammates. He, like Brenner, brings a ton of physicality and will continue to get stronger. Part of why he was converted from linebacker was because of his work on scout offense when he did such a terrific job replicating opponents fullbacks and h-backs. Meyers shared that Gustad cares a ton about the program and is all in.
There is a trio of third year tight ends who have steadily improved and will have a chance to make a mark this season. #88 Greyton Gannon (6-4, 230, SO), #89 Brody Gormley (6-7, 245, SO), and #83 David Alpers (6-6, 245, SO) all bring something different to the position group but all are extremely talented. Gannon fits into a flex tight end role and possesses a great WR skill skill; including hands. He’s mature and smart in the playbook according to Meyers and he continues to improve as a blocker. As we witnessed in the playoffs on special teams, Gormley is a physical freak as he was able to make an immediate impact on the kick coverage unit. He’s tall and super fast. Unfortunately, he has battled injuries the past two seasons and we haven’t been able to see him fully in the offense. He played in all of spring ball however and that helped him take a jump according to Meyers. Next is David Alpers who unfortunately missed all of 2023 with injury. However, “Dave” is a name that was mentioned by a few coaches as someone who has “popped.” Meyers said that he has great body control and smoothness to his game. He doesn’t get rattled and is just a gamer. If these guys can stay healthy, watch out!
The second year tight ends are #87 Davin Stoffel (6-6, 250, R-FR)and #81 Joey Neumann (6-4, 230, R-FR) who both had good freshmen years. Davin is a player that splashed during spring ball and was compared to Zach Heins by Mark Gronowski. According to Meyers, Stoffel has great hands and is tough. He is also a coaches kid and just gets things at a different level. It sounds like has a bright future as a player and as a leader on this team. Neumann is a combo tight end that can play both positions. He’s a very intelligent kid with great hands according to Meyers and he will push to compete on special team. He’s still gaining weight and getting bigger but he had a great spring and summer.
The three incoming freshmen have the chance to be special. #49 Beau Baker (6-7, 245, FR) is the Jackrabbits first ever 4-star rated high school recruit. He looked good throughout summer and if he can pick up the playbook may have a chance to contribute this season. His natural size gives him a chance to play early. Meyers says he has a great personality and is just a super athlete. #40 Brayden Delahoyde (6-4, 210, FR) has been called an athletic freak by people within and outside of the program. He’s super raw however after playing wide receiver and cornerback in high school and there will be some adjustment to the blocking techniques. Meyers says that the physical gifts are evident but everyone will need to be patient. #46 Blake Leiferman (6-6, 255, FR) is a super strong and hard working kid from Kimball. Meyers says that he has a big transition to make from the 9 man game to SDSU but he can do it. He’s looked good this summer during workouts and conditioning and now it will be about putting all of the playbook together.
For a group that returns 3 catches for 29 yards and 1 TD COMBINED, Coach Meyers is really confident in his guys. I am too after the spring game and after talking to him about these guys. There may very well be some growing pains with so many young players at one position group but it seems like they really have it figured out with how to use these guys and their unique talents. I’m excited to see it happen!
Go Jacks!
Matt
