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P HIL'S C ORNE R Penn State's loaded tight end corps is crucial for offensive success in 2013 Perhaps the biggest surprise that emerged from Penn State's 2012 season was the overall performance of the offense, which averaged almost 10 points more than it had in 2011. With 10 offensive players who started at least two games returning for 2013, is it realistic to believe that Penn State will once again have one of the Big Ten's most productive offenses? I believe so, and I'll make a bold prediction here. I'm 100 percent certain that Penn State will enter the 2013 season with the No. 1 group of tight ends in the country. This past season the tight ends totaled 82 receptions for 1,090 yards and 10 touchdowns and averaged 13.2 yards per catch. In all, they were second in the country in receptions (82), second in receiving yardage (1,090) and tied for first in touchdown receptions (10). The good news for Penn State? All four tight ends that caught passes in 2012 will be back for the 2013 season. In an offense that often featured two tight ends, redshirt freshman Kyle Carter emerged as one of the two leading candidates for the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year award, which ultimately was given to teammate Deion Barnes. Despite Carter missing most of the team's final three games, he totaled 36 catches for 453 yards, two touchdowns and averaged 12.6 yards per catch. The media selected Carter as the Big Ten's first-team All-Conference tight end, and he was the only freshman to be nominated to the John Mackey Award, which is given annually to the best tight end in the country. O'Brien said he believes Carter has a great career ahead of him at Penn State. "He had an excellent season for us," O'Brien said. "Here is a guy, a young player, that came in here trying to learn a position that is a very difficult position to learn. "Offensively, [tight end] is the second J A N U A R Y hardest position to learn, behind quarterback. You're involved in the running game, in protections. You're involved in route running. You have to recognize coverage. "There are so many different things you have to know, and as a young guy, he came in here and did a really nice job. He's got excellent hands. He's a tough kid, a great kid, just a really good guy to have on the team." Maybe an even bigger surprise at tight end was redshirt junior Matt Lehman. Lehman finished the season with 24 catches for 296 yards and three touchdowns. "[Lehman] is a guy that was a run-on player, that was at Shippensburg and came to Penn State. What a story," O'Brien said. "Again, learning that position is not easy. "He's a big, tall guy. He's a tough guy. He catches the ball well. He runs well for his size. He's become a better and better route-runner all season, and he's come up with some big catches for us." Next in line is sophomore-to-be Jesse James. James enrolled early at Penn State last January and performed beyond most expectations. He finished the 2012 season with 15 catches for 276 yards and five touchdowns. His average of 18.4 yards per catch was by far the best on the team. "He is big, tall, and he can run," O'Brien said. "Jesse has unlimited potential." Then there is senior-to-be Garry Gilliam. Gilliam was used mainly as a blocker at the Y tight end position but still finished with seven catches for 65 yards. "He's a tough kid, he's an improved player," O'Brien said. "He plays a significant role for us as a blocker. "He's a great guy to coach, and he loves playing for Penn State." With Carter, Lehman, James and Gilliam all returning for the 2013 season, plus the additions of redshirt freshman Brent Wilkerson, and January enrollee and prep All-American Adam Breneman, how could anyone not label Penn State's tight end corps as the best in the Big Ten and arguably the country? Personally, I believe Carter, Lehman and James have already shown the potential to one day play in the NFL. Steve Manuel DRAGGING ON James finished his freshman season with 15 catches for 276 yards and five TDs. He and the tight end unit will be a crucial part of Penn State's offensive success in 2013. 1 6 , 2 0 1 3 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M

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