Woelk: Buffs Expect Big Things From Tight Ends

BOULDER — In the Colorado Buffaloes' offense, tight end is a loose definition.

Need somebody to line up “in-line” and block for the running game? Someone to line up in the slot, go in motion and run a pass route over the middle? Or, how about someone to line up wide and dare a defense to try to cover him with a much smaller cornerback?

In the Colorado offense, a tight end fills all those roles.

“For a tight end, this is the type of offense you'd want to play in,” Buffs running backs/tight ends coach Klayton Adams said. “You get to do a little bit of everything. You get to shift in motion some, you get to go some no-huddle, you get to line up on the ball, you get to split … it's a great offense for tight ends because we're so multiple.”

Indeed, tight ends are much more than just another offensive lineman in CU's offense. Last season, Buff tight ends caught 23 passes for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns. This year, they'll be expecting even more production.

“We ask them to do a lot, and we expect a lot out of them,” Adams said.

When the Buffs need a prototype tight end — someone big enough to block inside and still able to run over the middle and catch a ball in traffic — they can fill the bill with junior Sean Irwin. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Irwin started three games last year and played in all 12. The brother of CU starting left tackle Jeromy Irwin, he is the Buffs' “most complete” tight end, according to Adams.

This year, Irwin aiming to fulfill that description. Already a steady blocker, he spent the offseason improving his receiving skills.

“I just had to get into it and get some confidence and start catching some balls again,” Irwin said. “I went barehanded all summer without gloves just so I could get the feel of the ball again.”

Irwin did catch seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown last year. But with his expected increased playing time, he's expecting to increase that production.

“He's a good in-line blocker and he's done a really good job of improving this offseason understanding route running and the structure of the interior coverage,” Adams said. “He's made himself a better red zone player. The thing you always want is one guy you feel good about that can do a lot of different things, an older guy that has some experience. Right now, that's Sean.”

But in an offense that requires multiple sets, Adams has more than one weapon to utilize. Also filling the bill as a tight end/slot receiver/fullback is George Frazier, a sophomore who caught five passes for 35 yards last season — and three touchdowns. Frazier, who also played a little defensive line a year ago, is concentrating solely on offense. He is technically listed as a fullback — he carried the ball five times last year and scored one touchdown — but will also see a variety of tight end duties.

“George is able to do a lot of different things for us, which gives you flexibility in the different formations that we can run,” Adams said. “He's really come along in the passing game, and he's come along as an inline blocker, which was not something he's done before.

“He's just a smart, instinctive guy that picks up things really fast.”

Other players who had solid fall camps include redshirt freshman Dylan Keeney, sophomore Chris Hill and redshirt freshman Hayden Jones.

BIG TARGET: Keeney is a likely candidate for plenty of work in the slot.

“He's really come along from day one to where he is now,” Adams said. “He's really grown as a player.”

Keeney, a 6-foot-6, 220 pounder might be the fastest of all the tight ends, which makes him a perfect fit for the slot position. His height makes him a tough matchup for a smaller defensive back; his speed makes it difficult for a linebacker to cover him.

“Keeney looks great,” Irwin said. “He's fast. He's a little bit lighter than the rest of us, so he can move. He'll definitely have a role for us.”

Keeney missed much of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery and was able to practice on just a limited basis in spring ball, but has been full speed in fall camp.

HILL HEADED UP: The 6-2, 225-pound Hill entered fall camp listed No. 2 on the depth chart.

“Chris has improved a ton,” Adams said. “He's a guy that at some point will do some of the stuff Sean does. He's a guy that can play split out but understands some of the inline stuff. Just a durable guy.”

THE INSIDE LOOK AT . . .

Tight ends

Coach: Klayton Adams, third season on CU staff

Returning starters: None.

Returnees: Sean Irwin, Jr.; Chris Hill, Soph.; Connor Center, Soph.; Brian Boatman, Soph.; Hayden Jones, Fr-RS; Dylan Keeney, Fr.-RS.

Newcomer: Chris Bounds, Fr.

Key losses: Kyle Slavin.

Stat line: Buff tight ends caught 23 passes for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns last year, but they need that production to improve to become a regular threat.

Bottom line: The Buffs need to improve their red zone production, and the tight ends will be an important factor in that area. That means better blocking in short-yardage situations, better pass routes over the middle and continued help from the slot receiver spot when called upon.

Next: Defensive line

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu