Sophomores Croom, Reese are the grizzled veterans at OSU’s least experienced position

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Gazette-Times Reporter

While the quarterback competition receives most of the attention this spring, there’s another that can make almost as big a difference for the Oregon State football team.

Six tight ends are involved with spring practice, with two more to join the fray in the fall. They are all trying to be part of the core players used for that position.

Howard Croom and John Reese played minor roles last season as true freshmen to help prepare for this moment. The rest are freshmen, redshirt freshmen or walk-ons, which makes tight end the most inexperienced position on the field for OSU.

Now it is time to sort out the future.

“We have to see what we are capable of doing with this group,” tight end coach Jay Locey said. “We need the spring and the fall.”

It may seem crowded with that many athletes, but not for the Beavers. They frequently use two-tight end sets, and sometimes three.

OSU recruited the position heavily the last two years to prepare for the departure of long-time standout Joe Newton. Growing pains are expected, but the Beavers hope to minimize them.

“Joe was proven and we could build an offense around Joe,” Locey said. “We’ll be able to do a lot of things offensively with this group. We might do some of that same stuff, and we’ll see what else we can do with them.”

Coach Mike Riley says Croom is the most well-rounded of the group. He’s considered the first string tight end at the moment because he’s a solid blocker and receiver.

However, they are all receiving work with the first team.

“We’ve tried to make this thing competitive,” Riley said. “The rotations of playing with the first team and the quarterbacks are important so they feel the best man will win it.”

Reese is considered the better receiver, so he’s working at the H-back position. That’s the person who goes in motion and into the pattern to catch the ball.

Brady Camp redshirted last season, and is the best blocker of the group. He’s playing behind Croom because of the importance for the main tight end being a blocker.

Gabe Miller may make it a foursome when he’s healthy. Miller spent last year recovering from an Achilles’ tendon injury, and is taking the spring off.

Those are the primary athletes in the group. Joe Halahuni and Jake Hermeling must be developed further, while Dan Weis is a junior walk-on. Colby Prince joins the program in the fall.

“Everybody is trying to help everyone get better,” Croom said. “We still have a lot to work on as a group. We are trying not to be the weak link on offense. We have the youngest position. And we have big shoes to fill.”

While someone must take the first snap in games, this is not a heated competition for the players. They have a team-first mentality, and want the position to remain vital in the offense.

Newton was a deep passing option with his speed against linebackers and important in the red zone with his height catching balls in the corner.

“I don’t look at it as a competition,” Reese said. “I look at how I can contribute to the team. Like Howard said, the main thing is we don’t want to be the weakest link. I’m cheering him on and he’s cheering me on so we both get in there. I just want to get better and make an impact.”

Croom and Reese are the furthest along because of preparing to play each game last season. Second-string senior tight end Jason Vandiver hurt his shoulder last fall, so Croom and Reese had to be ready in case he couldn’t go.

Newton and Vandiver ended up handling most of the work. The limited playing time didn’t frustrate the freshmen. They were happy to learn the system and watch Newton and Vandiver so they would be ready to be the leaders of the group now.

“They are both more comfortable with what we are doing because they played some,” Locey said. “What it helped them with was the mental part. They have a good understanding with game prep. All of them are young, but they are overcoming that stuff by being scrappy. They are being aggressive to get better every practice.”

TIGHT ENDS

Eight young tight ends are in the Oregon State system. The position lacks experience but has depth. Here’s a look at who they are:

• Howard Croom: Played in six games as a true freshman last season and caught a pass.

• John Reese: Strong route runner who played some last season as a true freshman.

• Brady Camp: Redshirted last season and is considered the best blocker of the group.

• Joe Halahuni: Greyshirt joined this winter, which means he has five seasons to play four.

• Jake Hermeling: Walk-on from Bend’s Summit High redshirted last season.

• Gabe Miller: Redshirted last year while recovering from two Achilles’ tendon surgeries.

• Colby Prince: The West Albany High senior joins the program in the fall.

• Dan Weis: Junior walk-on has bounced between tight end and fullback.