By John Shinn
Kevin Wilson is Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, but he’s also a position coach. If you can’t tell which position he handles, just ask about depth.
Any mention of the word elicits glowing praise about tight ends Joe Jon Finley, Jermaine Gresham and Brody Eldridge.
“Tight ends might be the best group on the team,” Wilson said.
It’s hard to argue with him even though the numbers can tell a different story. The trio combined for just 30 catches and 330 receiving yards last season. Finley, a senior, led the way with 19 for 241.
But if you want to play tight end or fullback at Oklahoma, there’s a lot more to the job than catching passes or running the ball.
The group’s versatility is what has Wilson speaking in glowing terms.
Gresham is one of the offense’s most intriguing weapons. At 6-foot-6 he towers over any secondary. His 260 pounds allow him to outmuscle most defensive backs. The 4.6 speed he possesses, makes him too fast for most linebackers.
Last season, he was still making the transition from high school to college, but he will play a more significant role this season. He’s also been used as a wide receiver in some sets.
“Jermaine is significantly improved from where he was in knowledge and understanding,” Wilson said. “He is playing multiple places and is maybe blocking as well as any of the tight ends.”
Eldridge, a sophomore, has the build of a prototypical tight end. But he has a well-earned reputation as a devastating blocker. He was an honorable mention selection on last season’s All-Big 12 team and is already on the Mackey Award list, despite only three career receptions.
His blocking prowess turned him into OU’s starting fullback last season. Seniors Dane Zaslaw, Ian Pleasant and junior Matt Clapp will also spend time at the fullback spot.
But when it comes to being a lead blocker, Eldridge doesn’t have a peer.
“When he’s out there there’s a different feel to the offense with that blocking game,” Wilson said. “There’s one whole side that moves significantly better when he’s out there. It’s a pretty big deal.”
Finley is a mixture of Gresham’s offensive tools and Eldridge’s brute power.
Over the last four seasons, he’s gone from a skinny high school quarterback to a fixture of the Sooner offense.
Most of that time has been spent as a blocker. Since Trent Smith graduated after the 2002 season, the Sooners’ tight ends have been relegated to a supporting role in the passing game.
That could change this season.
“I think we’ll have a chance to use our tight ends a lot more than in the past,” Finley said. “Back when Trent Smith was here, he caught a lot of balls. I think we’ve got two guys that can do a lot of the things he did.”
Whether that translates into more receptions for the tight ends is up to Wilson and the defenses the Sooners face this season.
But Wilson likes his group and he’s going to figure out ways to use them.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
