FAYETTEVILLE - C.J. O’Grady fi rst flirted with the idea of a position switch on the football field in a couple of practices during his sophomore season. But it wasn’t until a trip to a summer 7-on-7 tournament prior to this season when a change for O’Grady would become oft cial.

It was a change that paid huge dividends for the Purple Bulldogs.

O’Grady had played quarterback throughout junior high school and served as the sophomore team signal caller the previous season. He received no varsity snaps under center, instead spending his time on Monday nights with the junior varsity team.

But with O’Grady possessing plenty of talent, Fayetteville coaches wanted to fi nd a way to get him on the fi eld.So before the season began they agreed with a move that O’Grady himself first suggested.

“It was my idea first,” O’Grady said. “I wanted to play tight end my sophomore year. That season I wasbehind Austin Allen, and I could see I wasn’t going to play. So I asked to coaches if I could play tight end.

“I got to play tight end in a couple of practices that year, but that was it.”

Then came this season, a breakout in all kinds of ways for O’Grady. The switch from quarterback to tight end was clearly the right choice for the 6-foot-5, 230-pound junior. With a pair of great hands and deceptive speed, O’Grady quickly became a top target in the Bulldogs passing game. And his performance earned him the All-NWA Media Co-Newcomer of the Year, along with Bentonville sophomore quarterback Kasey Ford.

“We’d be lying if we said we knew this was the type of year he was going to have,” Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. “(Offensive coordinator) Zak Clark andI thought for a while he was going to be our quarterback, but then we talked about putting him at tight end.

“Then over the course of 25 to 30 games in 7-on-7, he was the best guy out there. So we went into the season knowing what he could do.”

O’Grady had never suited up at tight end prior to those 7-on-7 games, making his season all that more remarkable. But after learning the ropes of the position, he quickly went from adjusting to dominating. With 45 receptions for 884 yards, 14 touchdown catches and several highlight reel plays, O’Grady wasn’t just a newcomer, but a breakout specialist.

“Actually I was pretty surprised that I did as well as I did,” O’Grady said. “I knew I could play tight end, but I didn’t expect to do this well.”

O’Grady broke out onto the scene so quickly, even colleges took notice. In just one short season at tight end, the junior has received interest from several major colleges. But Patton said there are still wrinkles in O’Grady’s game that needs to be ironed out.

“He doesn’t have to be a great blocker, but he needs to be able to get down in the dirt and show that he can block,” Patton said. “If he can add some strength, this time next football season he’s got a chance to be the best we’ve ever had come through here.”

O’Grady grew up with visions of being the next great quarterback at Fayetteville. But those dreams have quickly turned to a focus on the tight end position.

It’s a move that clearly benefited the Bulldogs this season, and obviously suits O’Grady in the long run as well.

“I knew I had a better chance at tight end,” O’Grady said. “It just fits my game better.”

Sports, Pages 8 on 12/29/2013