Rory Nicol knows the joke about tight ends, a position where players have an identity crisis: They are linemen who can't block, receivers who can't catch.
The Beaver star laughs as he tells it.
At 6-foot-5, 243 pounds, Nicol is the prototype for college tight ends. He has the size and power to be an effective run blocker, the soft hands to catch passes across midfield and the speed and agility to be a hurdler in track and field.
It's no wonder Nicol is one of the nation's most coveted tight end recruits, with 30-plus scholarship offers. He is a consensus top-five player at the position, ranked the No. 2 by TheInsiders.com, No. 3 by SuperPrep and No. 4 by Rivals100.com.
"Rory's got all the tools," said Joe Butler, director of the Metro Index scouting service. "He has an outstanding body, he's flexible, bends well, turns his hips, shows good footwork, has long arms. He's what they're looking for."
Nicol has his pick of schools and has narrowed his choices to Pitt, Penn State, Boston College, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Ohio State, Tennessee and Virginia. Not bad for someone who had only 12 receptions for 168 yards and one touchdown as a junior and just six catches and one touchdown through the first three games of this season.
"Once I get the ball, I'm a load to bring down," Nicol said. "I usually don't get brought down by one guy, unless it's at the knees."
In Beaver's run-oriented offense, however, Nicol is almost an afterthought. He estimates that 80 percent of the plays involve running the ball and that the Bobcats run to his side on 60 percent of those plays. Nicol runs routes on every pass play, although the ball doesn't always come his way.
"You hear people say, 'Why don't they throw it to the big tight end?' I don't know how they miss me. I'm the biggest player on the field," Nicol says with a laugh. "If you're looking at a kid who's 6-5, 250, you're expecting him to get the ball. But that's just not our offense."
While Nicol doesn't have impressive statistics, he takes pride in his reputation as a powerful run-blocker who opens holes for 1,000-yard rushers. Last season, it was Caleb Williams. This year, Pat McDanel is on a similar pace.
"In the college world, I'm more noted as a blocker," Nicol said. "As long as you can run, they'll find a way to use you. If you catch it, it's a big plus. That's just how it is, The college game has evolved. They pass just as much as they run now. I'm excited to catch more balls."
Not that he's complaining. After all, it could be worse.
Not long ago, players his size were relegated to the offensive line. Especially in Class AA, where having a tight end like Nicol is considered a luxury. At some schools, he'd be the team's biggest player.
"I'm definitely glad I'm a tight end," Nicol said, "and not a tackle."
Nicol is not alone in that regard. He's one of a several WPIAL players with the size to play on the offensive line but the athleticism to draw Division I notice at tight end:
"It's one of those positions where you really don't get accepted by the linemen or the skill-position guys," Cox said. "You're kind of in between."
Former City League and WPIAL tight ends are finding their niche in college and pro football, whether it's as pass catchers or blockers.
Darnell Dinkins of Schenley played quarterback, receiver and defense at Pitt before making the New York Giants as a backup tight end last season. Sean Berton of Hempfield played tight end at West Virginia and North Carolina State and is now with the Minnesota Vikings.
While players such as Pitt guard Dan LaCarte of Charleroi and Penn State tackle Andrew Richardson of North Hills have been converted to down linemen, others are thriving at tight end.
Maryland's Jeff Dugan of Central Catholic is an NFL prospect, and Erik Gill of Belle Vernon and Steve Buches of Central Catholic are promising tight ends at Pitt.
"A lot of tight ends in high school grow into tackles and tall, lanky receivers grow into tight ends," Butler said. "A true tight end is a kid who can catch the football."
Only then is the joke on everyone else.
| TRIB10: Tight ends |
1.Rory Nicol
Beaver
A top-five prospect at the position nationally, the 6-foot-5, 243-pounder combines power and athleticism. Pitt, Penn State, Boston College, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Ohio State, Tennessee and Virginia are his favorites.
2. Lucas Cox
Springdale
A prospect on the rise after the 6-4, 240-pound Cox dropped his 40-yard dash time to 4.8 seconds. Akron, Bowling Green, Duke, Kent State and Toledo have offered, although some like him at other positions.
3. Mike Dent
Jeannette
A four-year starter, the 6-4, 254-pound senior is a good athlete who also stars in basketball. A threat as a receiver who has two TDs. West Virginia has offered and other Big East and Mid-American schools are interested.
4. Joe Monteverde
Chartiers Valley: A big target at 6-5, 230, he had 34 catches for 432 yards (12.4 ypc) and four TDs as a junior. A Division I prospect who could play in the Ivy League because of excellent grades.
5. Zack Wolfe
Ford City: In three seasons in the Delaware Wing-T, the 6-5, 260-pound senior caught only 15 passes for 190 yards (12.7 ypc) but displayed good hands when given the opportunity. A Division I prospect.
6. John Pelusi
Central: The 6-4, 227-pound junior -- son of center J.P. Pelusi, who played center for Pitt's 1976 national champions -- has the size and hands to become the next in a long line of Vikings' D-I tight ends.
7. Tony Young
East Allegheny: Division I schools showed interest in the 6-2, 240-pound senior before he broke his right thumb in a scrimmage. His return to the lineup, possibly on Sept. 26 against Northgate, is highly anticipated.
8. Josh Byrom
Montour: The 6-6, 240-pound junior caught 19 passes for 228 yards and two TDs last season. Son of Spartans coach Bruce Byrom, who played at Maryland and spent three seasons in the USFL. A D-I prospect.
9. John Brown
Burrell: A 6-4, 245-pound junior who is powerfully built and could play multiple positions. Son and namesake of former Pitt tight end who caught winning TD in 1982 Sugar Bowl. A D-I prospect.
10. Ross Hornish
North Hills: A big target with soft hands and ability to run after the catch. The 6-4, 210-pound senior was missed last week in upset loss to Mt. Lebanon. Has D-I potential, but needs to add weight.
