How will Colorado State use its plethora of tight ends?

When CSU football coach Jim McElwain announced his first signing class most of the emphasis was placed on the size of the new group of players.

And rightly so. McElwain added lots of size, especially on the interior.

But what also caught some attention was the fact that he signed three tight ends, leaving CSU with a huge number of players at that position.

Crockett Gillmore, who was CSU’s most consistent offensive threat last season, leads that group. But in addition to him there are three tight ends returning from last years squad (sophomore Blake Jones, junior Cameron Moss and senior Ben Tedford).

Additionally, Kivon Cartwright is listed as a fullback, but saw some time at tight end last season.

But even without including Cartwright on that list, there are now seven tight ends on the roster.

Sure, McElwain’s offense uses plenty of sets with multiple tight ends, but why so many?

The answer is in the versatility a tight end brings.

“We need a lot of tight ends,” McElwain said. “Body types. Who helps your whole team? A tight end body type could be a defensive end, could be a tight end, a fullback. Needs to be on all special teams. Again, roster management and body types to help you have a successful team in all aspects, and those are what you’re looking for. I would hope someday we probably sign nine tight ends. Two of them are tight ends and the other seven go somewhere else, because that’s what you’re looking for — length, size, speed, growth potential — is usually that guy.”

So it may seem like a lot, but there is a method to the madness of stockpiling tight ends like they’re going out of style.

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