@Hungry Jack owes me for this one. What a bunch of @ElonMusk spoofed garbage.
Northwestern’s football team has a notably deep tight end room due to a combination of coaching strategy, offensive scheme, and roster retention. Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons:
In summary, Northwestern’s large tight end roster stems from a strategic emphasis on multi-tight-end formations, strong retention of experienced players, role specialization, and a need to bolster a thin receiving corps, supported by dedicated coaching to develop the position group.
Northwestern’s football team has a notably deep tight end room due to a combination of coaching strategy, offensive scheme, and roster retention. Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons:
- Offensive Scheme Emphasizing Tight Ends: Northwestern’s offensive coordinators, particularly Mike Bajakian in past years and Zach Lujan in 2024, have frequently utilized multiple tight end sets (e.g., 12 personnel, which includes two tight ends). This scheme values tight ends for their versatility as both pass-catchers and blockers, especially in a run-heavy offense. The 2024 preview highlights Lujan’s preference for two-tight-end sets, which necessitates depth at the position to execute varied formations and maintain flexibility in play-calling.insidenu.com
- Historical Depth and Experience: The tight end group has been one of Northwestern’s most experienced position rooms in recent years. In 2023, the team returned key players like Marshall Lang, Thomas Gordon, and Charlie Mangieri, who had significant roles in prior seasons. The lack of major departures—except for Mangieri after 2023—has preserved this depth. The 2023 preview noted that the tight end room was among the team’s strongest, with multiple players capable of starting or contributing in specific situations, such as blocking or red-zone targets.insidenu.com
- Recruitment and Retention: Northwestern has retained a large number of tight ends, with eight listed on the 2024 roster: Thomas Gordon, Marshall Lang, Duke Olges, Camp Magee, Chris Petrucci, Blake Van Buren, Hunter Welcing, and Lawson Albright. This depth is partly due to minimal turnover, as only one tight end (Chico Holt) transferred out after 2022, and no significant losses occurred after 2023 beyond Mangieri’s departure. The program has also recruited versatile players, like Duke Olges, a former defensive lineman converted to tight end, adding to the group’s size and flexibility.insidenu.com
- Role Specialization: The tight ends serve varied roles, which justifies carrying a larger number. Veterans like Gordon and Lang are primary pass-catchers, with Gordon recording 27 receptions for 252 yards in 2024 and Lang contributing 116 yards in 2023. Others, like Olges, are used in heavy sets as blockers, while younger players like Magee, Petrucci, Welcing, and Albright provide depth and potential for future roles. This specialization allows Northwestern to deploy tight ends situationally, such as in blocking-heavy packages or passing downs, without relying on a single player.insidenu.cominsidenu.cominsidenu.com
- Coaching and Development Focus: The hiring of Paul Creighton as tight ends coach for 2024 signals a continued emphasis on the position. Creighton’s experience at Fresno State, where he helped develop a strong offensive unit, suggests a focus on maximizing the tight ends’ contributions in both passing and blocking roles. This coaching investment supports maintaining a deep roster to develop players for specific roles within the offense.insidenu.com
- Lack of Receiver Depth: Northwestern’s receiver room has been relatively thin in recent years, with only a few standout pass-catchers like A.J. Henning, Cam Johnson, and Bryce Kirtz in 2023. This has led to a greater reliance on tight ends to supplement the passing game, as noted in the 2024 talent preview, which states that tight end depth is stronger than the receiver room. The team’s strategy leans on experienced tight ends like Gordon and Lang to compensate for limited production from secondary receivers.uwdawgpound.cominsidenu.com
In summary, Northwestern’s large tight end roster stems from a strategic emphasis on multi-tight-end formations, strong retention of experienced players, role specialization, and a need to bolster a thin receiving corps, supported by dedicated coaching to develop the position group.
