When coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] got to LSU, it was clear he had a lot of work to do in the tight end room.
Both Kelly and Tigers offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag], who has worked under Kelly in the past, like to utilize the tight ends in the offense. They run a lot of 12 personnel with multiple tight ends on the field, but LSU’s roster was severely limited at the position.
Now, a year later, that has changed considerably. [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] had a breakout true freshman season. Though his production won’t blow anyone away, his role increased considerably down the stretch and he made some big plays, namely the game-winning two-point conversion catch against Alabama.
The Tigers signed two blue-chip tight ends in 2023 in [autotag]Mac Markway[/autotag] and [autotag]Ka’Morreun Pimpton[/autotag], a signing day flip from Vanderbilt. With four-star [autotag]Tayvion Galloway[/autotag] committed in 2024, the future is bright at the position.
On3’s Jesse Simonton ranked the unit ninth in the country entering 2023.
Mason Taylor returns as one of the better tight ends in the SEC in 2023, as the sophomore made a number of big-time plays for the Tigers last season — namely his 2-point conversion to beat Alabama.
LSU would love to run more two-tight end sets in 2023, and now they might have the personnel to do that with more effectiveness after signing a trio of freshmen at the position — led by 4-stars Ka’Morreun Pimpton and Mac Markway.
LSU returns a lot of pass-catchers in 2023, and with players like [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag], [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], Taylor may not see a huge uptick in targets. Still, he should see an even bigger role as he could become the next great tight end Kelly produces.
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