Under offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, the tight end position will play a more prominent role heading into the 2023 season. Rutgers tight end Mike Higgins has asserted himself into the mix this spring.
The 6-5 240-pound tight end didn’t record a catch in 2022 but will try to change that heading into the 2023 season. Outside of Johnny Langan, Rutgers tight ends had just three catches combined in 2022.
Higgins joined the Scarlet Knights in 2022 and appeared in seven games last season. Higgins played at Blair Academy before Rutgers football, recording 25 catches for 504 yards and ten touchdowns in 2021.
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The former basketball player can cause many mismatches on the defensive side, out-jumping many defenders. Higgins is extremely athletic who is looking comfortable throughout spring practices. Higgins and the rest of the tight ends will be counted on in the run game, winning the C-gap in zone run schemes.
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— FootballVille Jersey (@FBVJersey) April 4, 2023
Tight ends coach Andy Aurich spoke about Higgins after today’s practice, stating “He is doing a great job right now in practice. He is a very athletic player and catches the ball extremely well. And every day, he is getting better as a run blocker, and his understanding of how he needs to run with the football. I am really excited about kind of where he is headed moving forward.”
Aurich has a group of three returning tight ends, with Higgins, Victor Konopka, and Johnny Langan. Even though these three are returning to Rutgers football, they are still relatively new to the position. Higgins and Konopka were former basketball players, while Langan is a converted college quarterback who played his first season in 2021. The tight-end role is constantly expanding, making Higgins a perfect candidate for the position.
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