A staple of just about every Brian Kelly offense is elite tight end play. While the Tigers were in jeopardy of ending that streak last season, they found an absolute gem in freshman Mason Taylor. Looking ahead to 2023, LSU football has loaded up at the position, and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has plenty of weapons at his disposal.
LSU football preview: For the Tiger tight ends, even the most talented and experienced are young
What if I told you that the top four tight ends on Brian Kelly‘s roster are all sophomores or younger? Well, that may be the case for the Tigers heading into 2023.
The leader of the group is far and away sophomore Mason Taylor, as he’s the top tight end on roster with at least a year of experience in Baton Rouge.
Despite coming out of high school with a three-star rating, he became one of the most impactful players on the Tigers’ offense in 2022. He recorded 38 receptions for 414 yards, three touchdowns, and the game-winning two-point conversion versus Alabama.
Heading into year two, he has some big expectations. He won’t be sneaking up on any defenses this year, but instead, he could be a point of emphasis when trying to defend the Tigers.
When speaking to the media earlier this fall, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock discussed the tight end room and what he expects to see out of Mason Taylor in 2023.
“Mason, obviously, had a solid year for us a year ago, looking to build on that, love where he’s at from a physical development standpoint and think the completeness of Mason Taylor’s game is really gonna come through this year, that you guys are gonna see,” Denbrock said when discussing the star sophomore. “I don’t know that I would call him a killer as a blocker a year ago. However, he learned how to survive and did a nice job at continuing to develop as the year went along.”
Aside from Taylor, is there any other college football experience in the group?
While Taylor will likely be one of the best in college football this season, he isn’t the only potential impact sophomore in the Tiger tight end room in 2023.
This past summer, LSU football received a slightly under the radar commitment from tight end Connor Gilbreath.
The sophomore previously attended junior college at Butte College in Colorado. Additionally, he came out of high school as a three-star recruit and ultimately chose to attend LSU over other top programs such as Miami, Washington and Colorado.
While he likely won’t make a significant impact in the passing game, he’s an impressive blocker. Aside from tight end, he’s spent considerable time along offensive lines, so he could be a big factor in the run game.
“Obviously, we brought in a junior college transfer, Connor Gilbreath, who is more of a big body in line tight end, who I think as experience and his knowledge of what we’re doing comes along – from a physical standpoint he’s certainly there – but he’s swimming a little bit mentally, but I like what I’m seeing from him from an aggression standpoint,” said offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock when discussing the new tight end addition.
True freshman pieces could end up making an early impact for Brian Kelly’s offense
When discussing the tight end group in 2023, it would be disrespectful not to mention the freshman class. While sophomore Mason Taylor will likely take the bulk of snaps, he can’t do it alone.
That’s where the talented younger guys come into play. In fact, if there’s any position that a freshman can excel for LSU football, it’s tight end.
The Tigers welcome in three potential impact freshmen to this year’s team, each of which does something unique. Those three freshmen are three-star Jackson McGohan and four-stars Ka’Morreun Pimpton and Mac Markway.
When discussing the tight ends, coach Denbrock talked about each freshman and what they could do for the team now and into the future.
“The younger guys, Jackson McGohan, unbelievable route runner, understanding of the passing game, how to create space for himself, how to breakdown people in man coverage, is somebody that could definitely help us in the passing game,” Mike Denbrock said when talking about the former three-star recruit. “Now, he’s gotta continue to work on his weight. He’s like 230 pounds; I don’t know that I want him blocking many defensive ends, so he’s still coming along.”
“I think Mac Markway, in particular, has had the best camp so far as far as moving himself into position to contribute to the team. Through a physicality standpoint, I think he’s moving better in space, so there’s some things that he can also give us in the passing game, which is welcome,” the Tigers’ offensive coordinator continued.
“And then, K.P., Pimpton is an unbelievable physical talent and a raw piece of clay that any tight ends coach in America would love to have to work with. He’s got the ability – already gaining probably 15 pounds since he’s been here, and getting to 245 as a true freshman – an opportunity to help in both areas of what we ask our tight ends to do, provided he continues to develop, and I believe he will,” he concluded regarding the group of freshman tight ends.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, star sophomore Mason Taylor is the man to watch. He’ll be the starter and could be considered one of the best tight ends in the conference.
However, in contrast to last year, Taylor isn’t the only player at the position capable of making things happen.
Guys like sophomore Connor Gilbreath and freshman Mac Markway have the potential to come in and block for the run game. Additionally, guys like freshmen Jackson McGohan and Ka’Morreun Pimpton could make plenty of big plays throughout the season in the passing game.
Pimpton, in particular, has been the talk of the offseason. With his combination of size and athleticism, he could grab several jump balls over SEC defenders throughout the season.
When thinking of the group as a whole, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock summed it up perfectly, discussing the variety and talent available throughout the room.
“So, there’s some blessings aplenty in that room. We’ve got to figure out who fits best and where and how to really utilize those guys the best way, but it’s exciting, and it’s been a little bit of a journey kind of getting that room where we thought it could really contribute to the way that I believe it will this season.”
The Tigers kick off the 2023 season this Sunday versus Florida State at 6:30 p.m. CST in Orlando.
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