Here's how Brian Kelly and Mike Denbrock plan to use tight ends to open LSU's playbook

Staff writer 8 hrs ago As a former college tight end, it’s no secret LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has a special place in his heart for players at that position. So does Brian Kelly, who was a linebacker in college. In more than three decades each as coaches, Kelly and Denbrock have developed a long list of star tight ends — a trend they wanted to continue when they reunited at LSU after working together at Notre Dame from 2010-16.

Sometimes overlooked, tight ends aren’t just extra blockers in their offensive system. They’ve been key to the passing game since Kelly started putting two of them on the field at the same time in 1997, when he was at Division II Grand Valley State. So when Kelly and Denbrock got little from the tight end position last season — outside of Mason Taylor, a freshman All-Southeastern Conference pick — they quickly moved to beef up the position and open the playbook even more for quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The addition of three top-25 high school tight ends — including four-star prospects Ka'Morreun Pimpton (No. 6) and Mac Markway (No. 18) — have given Denbrock some viable pass-catching options to group with Taylor.

Three-star Jackson McGohan (No. 25) and junior college transfer Connor Gilbreath, who is more of a blocker at 268 pounds and has offensive tackle experience, completed a major makeover of the group. “We’ve really built the depth there at tight end that we needed around Taylor,” Kelly said.

Taylor caught 38 passes for 414 yards and three touchdowns a year ago and had the memorable game-winning 2-point conversion catch in overtime to beat Alabama 32-31. “You can see the potential he has to be an All-American-type player,” Denbrock said. “Then, you look at a bunch of younger players who all have a huge upside.

“They all bring something different to the table; all have made great progress. In some fashion, depending on the game plan and what we’re doing, they’ll all get a chance to compete for us. ” Their versatility and potential extra production for the offense are what excite Denbrock and Kelly.

Last season, backup tight ends Kole Taylor and Jack Mashburn combined for seven receptions for 67 yards. While Denbrock and Kelly have used two tight ends extensively during their career, they were forced last season to rely more on putting three and four wide receivers on the field. But using two-tight-end sets create different kinds of mismatches, especially with their size, Kelly said.

Taylor put an extra 10 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame and is now 255 pounds, though he wants to change his body composition slightly to transform some fat into muscle after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. The 6-foot-6 Pimpton is up to 245 pounds after coming to campus at 222. Markway is 6-4 and 250 pounds, and McGohan is 6-4 and 235.

While LSU again has a deep group of talented wide receivers, Taylor said the Tigers are expected to highlight their tight ends this season. “Definitely, I think that’s (Denbrock’s) plan this year,” he said. “I mean, he’s going to dial up some stuff for us offensively.

And we’re going to be really good at it. ” Taylor said he's been impressed by what he’s seen so far in the summer and preseason practice. “(Kelly and Denbrock) did a great job getting some depth,” Taylor said.

“They're freshmen, they're young, but they have potential. It'll be really good to see. ” Pimpton, a signing-day flip from Vanderbilt in December, has been especially impressive so far in preseason camp, as has Markway.

“Mac has had the best camp so far, as far as moving himself in a position to contribute to the team,” Debrock said of Markway. “Through a physicality standpoint, he’s moving better in space. So there’s some things he can give us in the passing game, which is welcome.

“Pimpton is an unbelievable physical talent and a raw piece of clay any tight ends coach in America would love to work with. He’s got the ability to have an opportunity to help in both areas of what we ask our tight ends to do. ” Now that they’ve got what they wanted, Denbrock and Kelly have to make it all come together.

Obviously, both are excited about the versatility they now have at a position they value. “We can be in four wide receivers and put a lot of speed on the field,” Denbrock said. “We could be in '11' personnel (one tight end, one running back) with three good speed receivers and a tight end who can attack and be physical or get out in space and run routes.

“We could put two tight ends on the field and spread you out if you (the defense) want to play big heavy personnel, or tighten you up if you want to play smaller players. We have that type of versatility we didn't have a year ago to do some more of those things we would like to do. ” .