Miami Hurricanes Football 2015 Year in Review: Tight Ends

Boasting a variety of talent, the Miami Hurricanes tight end position had good depth this year, and will for the coming years. Late in the season, as David Njoku and Christopher Herndon IV received more opportunities, the tight ends churned out better numbers, but still fell short of their goal. With this year's struggles offensively and hindered by a porous offensive line, the tight ends never reached the heights they could have. While this group is safe for years to come, let's first recap their 2015 season.

Replacing Clive Walford's production set a high benchmark for the group in 2015. How did they compare to last year's totals?

Last season the tight ends group combined for 833 receiving yards, with ProCane Clive Walford accounting for the lion's share with 676 yards. In 2015, the tight ends fell 131 yards short of last year's production.

For Chris Herndon (So.) and David Njoku (RS-Fr.), they saw a massive jump in playing time in 2015, and together they led the group.

After redshirting as a freshman in 2014, David Njoku appeared in all 13 games and made four starts. His 17.2 yards-per-catch average led all receivers.

Despite appearing in three games as a freshman, Chris Herndon did not record any stats during the 2014 season, and could've used a redshirt. In 2015, his sophomore year, Herndon was used heavily, appearing in every game and making three starts for the Hurricanes.

Jerome Washington (Fr.), who transferred in from Mercer County Community College with four years to play and no redshirt eligibility, saw action in nine games for the Hurricanes. Washington was used mostly on special teams and received little burn on offense.

What happened to Standish Dobard?

Standish Dobard's regression from 7 receptions for 147 yards his sophomore year to 8 catches for 90 yards in 2015, to some extent, must be attributed to the play of the offensive line. With less time to operate in the pocket, Brad Kaaya needed quicker targets in the receiving game. While Dobard was flexed into the slot occasionally, his potential there pales in comparison to that of faster and more versatile receivers in David Njoku and Chris Herndon. This is why we see Njoku and Herndon's rise, and ultimately, Dobard's diminished role.

What does the future hold?

The Miami Hurricanes return every tight end but Jake O'Donnell and the position group still hasn't reached its full potential.

Each player brings a special skillset and is capable of playing time in 2016. Standish Dobard is a bruiser, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 262 pounds; Christopher Herndon, with enough speed to flex into the slot, pushed for the starting job last Spring; David Njoku creates mismatches off the line and in space; and Jerome Washington is another dynamic option.

Mark Richt and new tight ends coach Todd Hartley will have plenty to work with in their first year in Coral Gables.

Stay tuned to State of the U as we roll out more coaching profiles, season reviews, and recruiting updates as we race to National Signing Day.