SMU football preview: Is RJ Maryland an all-conference tight end?

8/9/2023 The SMU Mustangs enter the 2023 season with high expectations in a new-look American Athletic Conference. A big reason for the optimism is a roster filled with returning talent and fortified by highly touted transfers. With that in mind, this series will evaluate the roster at each position.

Up next: the tight ends. Tight ends Notable additions: Micah Hilts (Texas State transfer), Tripp Riordan (freshman), Adam Moore (freshman), Lonnie Johnson (freshman) Notable subtractions: Ben Redding (graduation), Gage Haskin (graduation) What we know: RJ Maryland has receiving skills. The Southlake Carroll alum proved that during his true freshman season.

He finished with six touchdown receptions, which was tied for the second most on the team. Maryland also showed room for improvement in the blocking department, which was understandable, considering he was a 217-pound freshman blocking defensive lineman that were vastly heavier and often older than him. Maryland spent the off-season bulking up.

At one point he was 240 pounds, he said. Offensive coordinator Casey Woods loves Maryland’s potential and he’s set high expectations for the second-year tight end. The most important tight end, however, might be Nolan Matthews-Harris.

The 6-foot-6 tight end has the perfect look for a tight end, Woods said. Matthews-Harris just has to stay healthy. He’s played in 11 games the last two seasons, including three last year.

What to WATCH: The tidbit about Matthews-Harris is a good segue. If everyone stays healthy, this SMU tight end room has the potential to be good. If players start getting hurt, then it has the potential to be the thinnest group SMU has.

Texas State transfer Micah Hilts is another tight end who looks the part. Former Michigan State tight end Kam Allen has been a good mentor for the younger tight ends, and looks to be someone who could step in and play the position if needed. The Mustangs also have a trio of freshman tight ends in Frisco Wakeland’s Tripp Riordan, Keller Timber Creek’s Lonnie Johnson and Florida tight end Adam Moore, who is nicknamed “Man Man,” for good reason.

The Mustangs will try and develop that trio quickly, just in case they have to be ready to play this fall. One word to describe the position: Fragile. As indicated above, there isn’t a lot of depth at the position.

Injuries could make or break the success of the position, because if everyone does stay healthy, there is a lot of talent. Especially at the top. Maryland has the potential to be an all-conference tight end in his second year.

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