More Production Coming From Buckeye Tight Ends, But Game One Was Good Start

The Buckeyes played five tight ends in Saturday’s season-opening win against Akron. Fifth-year senior Gee Scott, Jr., redshirt junior Will Kacmarek, and redshirt freshman Jelani Thurman all played roughly 20 snaps each in the Ohio State rout over the Zips.

Buckeye head coach Ryan Day and tight ends coach Keenan Bailey would like to see those three continue to lead a group that needs to be a strength of this offense.

Even though the OSU offense fielded a tight end on almost every snap on Saturday, the group overall only had one pass thrown their way. Kacmarek was targeted by quarterback Will Howard down the field towards the corner of the north end zone, but the pass went off of his hands.

Despite the lack of touches for a position that featured the very productive Cade Stover last year, Day was pleased for the most part.

“I thought they, as a group, blocked well,” he said on Tuesday. “I think we had two champions there. There’s going to be more production coming out of the room moving forward, but they did a nice job and so now we’ve got to keep building on that as well.”

Ohio State tight ends combined for 55 catches last season, led by Stover’s 41. The statistical production of the position will fluctuate, but the blocking requirements of the job are always on call. The position is as much a blocker as a pass catcher, but without the ability to block, it can become an offensive liability.

After one game, Day founds some examples to build upon.

“A couple of really good effort clips,” he said. “In particular, Will Kacmarek on one play, he blocked his man about seven yards downfield and pancaked him. That’s what we’re looking for. We’re looking for that type of intensity, that type of finish, and they’re going to be very much involved in the pass game as well.”

Saturday was also the most extensive action for Thurman, whose potential has been a source of both excitement and frustration because everyone has seen just how good he could be. The tight end position is one of development, and the 6-foot-6, 258-pound Thurman has mixed in some stellar play in practice with also some lapses of concentration.

Every snap that he can get early in the season will pay off down the strech.

“Yeah, that was a big day for Jelani,” Day said. “He needs to just play and play through some of his inexperience. There’s going to be mistakes made. There was the penalty that we had where he wasn’t on the ball. There’s a couple of things we have to play through, but I think it was good for him to get that game under his belt. There’s a lot of potential there and the more he plays, the better off he’s going to be.”

The Buckeyes will attempt to play five tight ends again this Saturday night against Western Michigan. The top three will once again need to provide help in the running game.

They might actually get to help in the passing game this time as well.