Florida Gators 2008 Position Overview: Tight End

When Cornelius Ingram made his decision to forgo the 2008 NFL Draft to return for his senior season, it meant one thing for the Florida Gators.

They would be loaded at tight end during the 2008 season.

Ingram returns to lead what should be one of the best groups of tight ends in the nation.  He will team up with true sophomore Aaron Hernandez and fellow senior Tate Casey to provide quarterback Tim Tebow with some great passing options, as well as some very technically sound blockers.

Coach Urban Meyer thinks so highly of his tight ends heading into the 2008 season that he has designed a new two tight end package to get these guys on the field more often.

Ingram should be one of the most athletic and productive tight ends in the country and Hernandez is working his way towards stardom in Gainesville.  This group will cause nightmares for defensive coordinators with the matchup problems they will create against opposing defenses.

This is an experienced and highly talented position for the Florida Gators heading into the 2008 season.

Cornelius Ingram

Since moving to tight end, Ingram has been one of the best weapons on the Gator offense.

While he has struggled with consistency and injuries, when he is at the top of his game he is one of the best tight ends in the nation.  Ingram is actually more of a hybrid tight end – wide receiver and frequently lines up in the slot or as a receiver.

Ingram will likely be the Gators’ primary pass-catching option at tight end in 2008.  He poses a serious matchup problem against opposing linebackers with his great speed and size.

If Ingram continues the level of production that he had at the end of the 2007 season, he could easily work his way into the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Ingram is easily a first team All-SEC caliber player; he should be one of the Gators’ primary targets in the red zone and one of Tebow’s top options in the endzone. 

Aaron Hernandez

Hernandez quickly earned playing time after arriving in Gainesville during the 2007 season.

He saw his workload increase as the season wore on and he figures to be a key component to the Gator offense in 2008.  He will be called upon frequently as a blocker, since he is likely the best blocking tight end on the Gator roster.

However, Hernandez also showed that he is a great threat in the passing game.  His good hands and tough running make him a great option for quarterback Tim Tebow.

Hernandez is not afraid to catch tough balls over the middle and he often tramples defensive backs after the catch.  Opposing teams will need more than one tackler to stop him and that means Hernandez will see plenty of action in 2008.

If he can polish his route running, he could quickly become one of the best all-around tight ends in the SEC.

Hernandez is also likely to see some time lined up from the fullback position.  Coach Urban Meyer might use him there on goal-line situations to give Tim Tebow or one of the running backs a big body to run behind.

Tate Casey

Tate Casey returns for his senior year, but will likely see very limited action during the 2008 campaign.  He never could quite break through at the tight end position and, as a result, has slipped behind Hernandez on the depth chart.

With both Ingram and Hernandez capable of making some big plays, Casey will likely be relegated to mop up duty or catching more of Tim Tebow’s infamous jump passes.

Casey is an average blocker but Hernandez will likely get the call in most blocking situations.  The only way that Casey will see any significant time in 2008 is if Hernandez or Ingram go down with an injury.

With all the other playmakers available in the Gator offense, Casey’s Gator career will likely end rather quietly.