Penn State Football 2018 Early Position Preview: Tight End

Penn State football will need to find a new starting tight end for the 2018 season

Among positions that will head into the 2018 with big shoes to fill for Penn State, tight end ranks near the top. Mike Gesicki has ruled the tight end position for Penn State the past few seasons, but he’s off to the NFL. Gesicki absolutely leaves some giant shoes to fill. Head coach James Franklin and his staff will look to the roster to find the next great tight end for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State has enjoyed a string of great tight ends of the past few seasons. Jesse James, Kyle Carter, Adam Breneman, and Gesicki all had great careers as Nittany Lions. Who will step to the front in 2018?

There are several options that include a mix of old and new faces.

The obvious choice to step in is Jonathan Holland. The redshirt junior has two years of experience playing. Most of his experience the past two seasons came on special teams. He saw minimal time on offense, making just three catches for 16 yards in 2017.

More from Victory Bell Rings

At six-foot-four, 247 pounds, Holland makes a big target and his athleticism could create problems for defenders. Although he doesn’t yet have the numbers, Holland could quickly blossom as a dangerous weapon for the Nittany Lions this season.

Joining Holland on the depth chart this season is Nick Bowers — a dark horse to nab the starting job. Bowers has a unique combination of size and speed. He entered Penn State with great potential, but after receiving a red shirt in 2015 and suffering a season-ending injury in 2016, his opportunities have been limited.

Last year he saw action in three games and caught a 15-yard touchdown against Nebraska.

Holland and Bowers should enter as the players with the best chance to open the season as the starting tight end.

Danny Dalton, a redshirt sophomore, could also get an opportunity to see what he can do.

Perhaps the most talented player of the bunch is true freshman Zack Kuntz. It’s still not clear if he’ll see the field in 2018, as he might be given a year to sit and develop further.

Regardless, whenever he does get on the field, expect to see big things.

The four-star tight end was ranked as one of the best available at his position one of the top 150 projects overall. Kuntz chose the Nittany Lions from an impressive offer list that included the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Michigan and Oregon.

While the next standout player, or even starter, at tight end may not be exactly clear at this moment in time, there are several promising options. The tight end position will be one to keep an eye on as spring practice progresses and the summer session begins.

Home/Penn State Football