Penn State Football Position Preview: Tight Ends

Story posted October 20, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Austin Groft

Penn State is starting to receive some recognition for producing top-tier tight ends after Mike Gesicki just recently set the record for the most receptions at the position in Penn State History.

Gesicki, now the starting tight end for the Miami Dolphins, is coming off an impressive season last year, bringing in 51 receptions for 570 yards and five touchdowns.

Penn State has brought in some big recruits at the tight-end position because of Gesicki’s career, most notably Pat Freiermuth. The 6-5, 258-pound playmaker has done Penn State fans wonders by filling the shoes of Gesicki.

Last season, Freiermuth brought in 43 receptions for 507 yards and seven touchdowns.

Freiermuth was able to tie Gesicki for the most touchdowns in Penn State history at the position. Expect Freiermuth to easily beat that record and build upon it this season.

When the Big Ten originally postponed the season, Freiermuth declared for the NFL draft. Now that the Big Ten has agreed to play a fall season, the star tight end will look to build up his draft stock.

Freiermuth was projected to get drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. If Freiermuth can have a season like he did last year, he will be the top all-purpose prospect in the 2021 NFL draft.

Although Freiermuth is one of the top tight ends in the nation, Penn State has also brought in some young prospects that will be able to learn from him this season.

Penn State has brought in multiple four-star tight ends throughout the past few years. Freiermuth’s backup this season will be redshirt sophomore Zach Kuntz.

Kuntz saw little playing time last year and only brought in two receptions for 18 yards.

Kuntz is going to a see a significant increase in playing time this year, as Penn State will look to develop their next potential star at the position.

Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson are Penn State’s two other young four-star recruits who will also have to sit behind Freiermuth this season. Though both were talented tight ends in high school, Penn State tight end coach Tyler Bowen will look to prepare them for the next level.

Since KJ Hamler entered the draft last spring, Freiermuth is now the leader in receptions among returning players. As a result, Freiermuth is going to put up monster numbers this season.

Penn State has a lot of positions that are talented and have depth, but the tight end position should be considered when looking at Penn State’s best positions. Coach Bowen will continue to impress and show that Penn State is becoming a tight end factory.

Austin Groft is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email him at atg5271@psu.edu.