Vandal Football Preview - Tight Ends

BREAKDOWN

Heading into the 2022 season, the new Vandal coaching staff was thrilled about the potential of tight end Alex Moore, but in the first half of game one, an injury derailed his season and put a kink into the Vandal offense.

The production from the tight end position was meager with only 35 receptions coming to the position group, 30 of those to graduating senior Connor Whitney. A year later with Moore back in action, redshirt sophomore Jake Cox taking a big step in his development, the addition of grad transfer Turon Ivy Jr. and bevy of talented freshmen, the Vandals hope to reverse course in 2023. 

The focus has been on improving the in the details of every aspect of the position, starting with dominating the line of scrimmage in the run game. 

“We have to be able to do everything at a really high level,” tight end coach Tyler Sutton said. “Whether we want to run behind us at the point of attack or if we want to be on the backside and then being able to line up all over the field, split out wide receiver. We need to be able to create mismatches in the passing game and create good angles for us in the run game.”

KEY RETURNERS

Moore is still progressing to get back to 100 percent of where he was before his injury last season. 

“He's doing a great job coming back,” Sutton said. “He's been working his tail off all winter, all spring to this point now. And we're making sure that he's progressing every day. He's showing flashes of the old 84. For what everybody was ready for last year.”

Jake Cox has become one of the most consistent players among the tight ends, playing well in both the pass game and in run-blocking. 

“I’m super excited about Jake Cox,” Sutton said. “He's kind of a jack of all trades guy. He does everything really well for us right now in the run game, In the passing game, we can line him up all over the field to help us create mismatches within the passing game.”

Jack Schuster and Chance Bogan will look to contribute for the Vandal offense this season as they grow into their games. 

“Jack Schuster doing really good job coming back for us as well," Sutton said. "He is really kind of a stalwart in the run game doing a really good job there. Chance Bogan, a redshirt freshman this year, is continuing to develop within our offense as well.”

TRANSFER

Turon Ivy Jr. (TJ), a grad transfer who began his career at Indiana before transferring to Coastal Carolina joined the team in June. He has made an impact on the position group with his play on the field and his leadership in the room. 

“TJ has been awesome so far,” Sutton said.  “He’s been a great boost of energy for our room in terms of the knowledge that he brings to the game. Being an elder statesman in the room, he's really smart and understands our concepts well. It's just learning like a different language in terms of what he's done with what we're doing now. And, you know, every single day he's getting continue to get better in our offense. And we feel really good about where he's at right now. From a physical and mental standpoint.”

INCOMING FRESHMEN

Three Vandals joined the group this season. Mason Mini was a high school quarterback, but he is starting to grow into his 6-4 frame and has shown some flashes in practice of his future for the Vandals. 

“Mason Mini is doing a great job for us,” Sutton said. “We’re really excited about his development, after playing quarterback in high school. He’s transitioned well with the challenges that we've put forth for him. I look forward to seeing him have a great career here.”

James White from Lewiston and Jonathan Stromberg from Washington are also showing signs of great potential at Idaho. 

“James from down the road in Lewiston is another super explosive athlete that we're really, really excited about,” Sutton said. “Jonathan Stromberg is doing a great job for us as well. He is developing into what we need our tight end to do offensively.”