BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State brings back two of its top four tight ends from last season. A former App State tight end has returned to the coaching staff this spring.
With
Collin Reed and
Devin Papenheim still on the roster after starting two games apiece in 2017, there is an official tight ends coach working in a full-time, on-field role with the promotion of alum
Nic Cardwell, who played on the three national championship teams from 2004-07 and was a member of the App State staff last season in an offensive quality control capacity.
The NCAA's approval of programs adding a 10th on-field assistant triggered the move to have Cardwell work specifically with players at his old position as the program's fifth offensive assistant alongside
Frank Ponce (co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks),
Shawn Clark (co-offensive coordinator/offensive line),
Justin Watts (recruiting coordinator/wide receivers) and
Stu Holt (running backs/special teams).
"It's been going great," said Cardwell, who also coached App State's tight ends in 2008 and 2012. "It's not that different than what I've done in the past."
App State started four games last season with a set that included two tight ends, with Reed performing well as a receiver and Papenheim excelling as a blocker.
Reed ranked second among Sun Belt Conference tight ends with five receiving touchdowns, including two in a 106-yard game against Savannah State. He also scored at Idaho and in back-to-back wins against the two Sun Belt teams from Georgia.
Papenheim, who moved from defensive end to tight end during the 2017 preseason, started at Idaho and in the Dollar General Bowl against Toledo. App State rushed for 327 yards in that shutout victory.
"We play a lot with two tight ends," Cardwell said. "Papenheim does a great job, and our offense is a different offense when he's on the field. He brings a lot to the table.
"Collin has done a tremendous job. He's done better this spring than he's done since he's been here as far as blocking and being aggressive. The things that come naturally to him are running routes and catching balls. If it's a 50-50 ball, he's going to come down with it most of the time. He has tremendous hands and is a very savvy football player."
Beyond Reed and Papenheim, the primary depth in 2018 is expected to come from two true freshmen and redshirt freshman
Zeke Brandle, a former defensive lineman.
Of the two incoming freshmen, one is early enrollee
Trey Ross, who had 41 catches for 675 yards and six scores as a senior on an 11-2 team at Randleman High School.
"He's learning and is a very smart kid," Cardwell said. "He's got a good work ethic — you can coach him hard, and he will respond.
Zeke Brandle came in as a D-lineman, and he's developing and is changing his body a whole lot. Over the fall, just being in our program, his body has changed a lot."
