Rank the Roster: Tight End

With a new season comes the same discussion about teams claiming to be Tight End U. Without question, the University of Miami stakes claim to that title with NFL standouts such as Jimmy Graham and Clive Walford, Jeremy Shocky and Greg Olsen, Bubba Franks and David NJoku, and most recently Chris Herndon. The lineage is clear that the best play here at The U. With two promising young tight ends leading the way this season, Miami is poised to continue its reign at the top.

1a. Brevin Jordan

The most productive TE on the roster last season, Jordan was baptized by fire after being thrust into action as a true freshman due to injuries sustained by fellow tight ends Michael Irvin II and Brian Polendey during training camp. Jordan had a great debut season as his 32 receptions were good for second-most on the team, and he compiled 287 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games. He did miss the regular season finale again Pitt after he and Will Mallory were injured in the first half of the VT game. He also dealt with injury this Spring, but should be good to go against UF.

Jordan is head and shoulders above all of the other tight ends in my opinion, and the opinions of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. The sophomore tight end was recently named to the 2019 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List.

Jordan’s freshman season ended with him making 11 starts and earning second-team All-ACC honors. Expect him to pick up where he let off. The ACC writers have selected him to the Preseason ALL ACC team.

Our Marsh Thomas did a player profile on Jordan that you can read here.

1b. Will Mallory

Often referred to as the other half of the Two Headed Monster, Mallory is a physical specimen in his own right. He is projected to have the better career of the two by NFL insiders, and has improved his blocking in the offseason according to Coach. Mallory has soft hands, and is likely to see his role increase this season.

3. Michael Irvin II

Mike missed the entire regular season last year as he recovered from a serious knee surgery. He did get a chance to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Wisconsin but logged no stats.

Miami legend Michael Irvin Sr. had this to say about his son’s injury at the recent Paradise Camp “The injury was probably the best thing for him. It focused him in on the seriousness of time and that time is running out. And when you get on the field, or every time you’re out there, you have to squeeze that opportunity. You never know if you’ll get another opportunity...’’

It appears that he has headed that message because by all accounts, Irvin Jr has has a great offseason. He was solid in his performance in the Spring, and he has continued that momentum into the second week of Fall Camp.

Expect him to see playing time in relief of Jordan and Mallory this season and for him to collect a few stats along the way as his role continues to increase.

LETS GO, Mike!

4. Brian Polendey

Polendey hasn’t been able to find meaningful traction in his time at Miami. He has only played in 8 total games in his 2 years at Miami. When he was recruited by former Canes TE coach Todd Hartley, he was told that Miami saw him as “more of a blocking tight end that can do a little bit of everything” and he was up to the task at the time. When Michael Irvin II went down with an injury last fall, Polendey was next in line to pick up the slack, but he suffered a season ending injury in the 2nd game of the season. Now a Redshirt Sophomore, Polendy will look to make an impact as he returns to the field for the first time in nearly a year. We wish him well, and expect his contribution to come on special teams.

5. Larry Hodges

Hodges has a lot of talent, and will be a contributor, but I expect with the depth ahead of him that he will redshirt this season. He will need to continue his work with Coach Feeley in the weightroom and needs to understand the importance that Manny and Enos have on protecting the ball. In the video below, (:27 second mark) Hodges is hit by Derrick Smith and fumbles during the first scrimmage.

Hodges is young and will no doubt learn from the talent around him. A good sign is he has shown a knack for bouncing back. Expect to see a lot of him on Special Teams to start the year as he settles into the depth chart. We look forward to seeing what the kid can do...

That wraps up our review and ranking of the Tight End position group.

How did these rankings compare against yours?

Let us know in the comments below.