Auburn Spring Practice: How will Tigers use their plethora of tight ends?

Here’s a look at Auburn’s tight end corps that is poised to make a statement this fall.

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In the last several years, Auburn has recruited a handful of high-rated tight ends. This year it looks like we’ll finally see them emerge as regular contributors on the Tigers’ offense.

It’s inexcusable that this position has been underutilized as of late, but Bryan Harsin realizes the advantages he has within this unit. From 2002-2005 he served at Boise State’s tight ends coach during which the Broncos’ scoring offense led the nation in scoring twice and never once fell out of the top 10. In his final year as tight ends coach, four Boise State tight ends finished the season with combined stats of 27 receptions, 298 yards, and three touchdowns.

Last season four Auburn tight ends finished the season with combined stats of 20 receptions, 178 yards, and 0 touchdowns.

In January Harsin announced the addition of former Boise State offensive line coach Brad Bedell to his Auburn staff to assume the role of tight ends coach. In Bedell’s four seasons at Boise State he saw nine offensive lineman receive 13 All-Mountain West honors. When Harsin named Bedell as tight ends coach he said,

“Tight end play is a critical part of our offensive attack and Coach Bedell brings a unique perspective to what we want to do with that position group. Brad has coached with me at a couple different places and is a relationship driven coach with six years of NFL playing experience, making him an exceptional recruiter. His versatility as a coach and strong recruiting ability make him a great fit for the Auburn football family.”

Bedell and Harsin will have no problem finding talent in this position. Outside of linebackers Auburn’s most talented group very would could be its tight ends. Here’s a look at Auburn’s tight end corps that is poised to make a statement this fall:

John Samuel Shenker, senior

  • 6’4″, 249 lbs
  • 2020 stats: 9 receptions, 97 yards, 26-yard season long reception vs Alabama
  • Buzz: Shenker must balance football, baseball, and school once again this spring. The infielder and tight end was absent in Saturday’s open practice due to Auburn baseball’s matchup against Ole Miss. So far this baseball season, Shenker has 3 runs, 3 hits, and 3 RBIs. The veteran of this tight end corps, Shenker still makes himself available to practice when he can and has been praised by Harsin for his tenacious work ethic.

JJ Pegues, sophomore

  • 6’3″, 308 lbs
  • 2020 stats: 14 rush yards on 5 carries, 11-yard season long vs Arkansas/7 receptions, 57 yards, 16-yard season long vs LSU
  • Buzz: For Ole Miss JJ Pegues will always be the one that got away. Maybe it’s his frame that let Pegues escape to Auburn out of Ole Miss’ backyard, but don’t let that deceive you. Out of high school Pegues was ranked nationally as a top 10 tight end prospect by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. His versatility at the line and in motion make him capable of creating nightmare matchups against defenses. In Saturday’s spring practice Pegues flattened Auburn LB Zakoby McClain while lined up at fullback. Auburn offensive coordinator Mike Bobo says that a focal point this spring has been moving Pegues around and playing him in a lot of positions.
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Luke Deal, sophomore

  • 6’5″, 255 lbs
  • 2020 stats: 2 receptions, 11 yards
  • Buzz: As a senior Deal was ranked by ESPN as the nation’s 10th highest rated tight end. Deal didn’t see game action until the Arkansas game last year and only recorded stats against South Carolina and Mississippi State. In Saturday’s open practice Deal was given first team reps and lined up in the slot as well as at fullback. His highlight from Saturday was an impressive one-handed grab on a great pass by Bo Nix.

https://twitter.com/SkyeUnderwood/status/1223084786107011072?s=20

Brandon Frazier, sophomore

  • 6’7″, 267 lbs
  • 2020 stats: 2 receptions, 13 yards
  • Buzz: Frazier didn’t see game action until the Tigers played Tennessee last season and recorded stats against Mississippi State and Northwestern. As a high school prospect, ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports rated Frazier as a top-25 tight end. During spring practice on Saturday Frazier impressed media, coaches, and fans by showing out as a passing game mismatch.

Tyler Fromm, sophomore

  • 6’5″, 240 lbs
  • 2020 stats: injured in 2019, saw game action against LSU
  • Buzz: As a senior, Fromm was rated by ESPN as the nation’s 8th highest ranked tight end prospect. He comes from a pedigree of talented brothers: his twin Dylan plays quarterback for Mercer and his older brother Jake played quarterback at Georgia and is now with the Buffalo Bills. In Saturday’s practice Fromm got several first team reps.

Landen King, freshman

  • 6’5″, 214 lbs
  • Senior Stats (Atascocita High School): 39 receptions, 471 yards, 5 touchdowns
  • Buzz: Rated the ninth overall tight end prospect nationally by ESPN, King is a matchup nightmare in the passing game and will excel as a playmaker in Auburn’s offense.

The Tigers have plenty of depth at tight end with Pearl River Community College transfer Hayden Brice (senior) and Flynn Driscoll (junior). Bryan Harsin is a man with a plan and after Saturday’s practice it appears that he aims to get the talented corps of tight ends more involved in the offense.