JONESBORO -- There's nothing abnormal about a college football player entering their fifth season.
Even before covid-19, many freshmen wouldn't see the field during their debut campaign, delaying the start of their eligibility clock.
Reed Tyler started five of the 13 games he played during his freshman season in 2018, but Mississippian is back for one last-go round thanks to a pandemic-stunted 2020.
And as Arkansas State's elder statesman at tight end amidst a group of six youngsters with a combined 21 collegiate appearances, Tyler's savvy will be much-needed -- even if his statistical production is minimal.
"Every day when I walk into that [tight end] room, I know that I have a little bit more responsibility on my shoulders, just being the older guy," Tyler said.
Tyler will get his snaps again -- he played 253 last year and caught four passes -- but the focus at tight end with undoubtedly be on the Red Wolves' sophomore duo of Emmanual Stevenson and Seydou Traore. The pair combined for 34 catches and 290 yards with two touchdowns in 2021, but Coach Butch Jones didn't hesitate to throw the freshmen into the fire -- both started multiple games.
Traore worked with ASU's first-team offense during the early portion of fall camp with Stevenson still on the mend from a knee injury that kept him out of spring practice entirely.
All indications are that Stevenson will be back in his starting gig come the Sept. 3 opener against Grambling State -- the Eufala, Ala., native rejoined team periods during practice last week.
But the chance for Traore to work with quarterback James Blackman and the Red Wolves' top offensive unit has been critical. The sophomore hauled in 10 of his 12 receptions during ASU's last three games in 2021 -- only Traore's second season playing 11-man football after growing up as a goalie in his hometown of London, England.
"I see a difference in confidence," Jones said of Traore. "He knows what he's doing. He's playing faster. Now, it comes to him having the attitude and determination to be an adequate, good blocker. ... But I think the game has slowed down for him a little bit."
What Stevenson, Traore and freshman Miller McCrumby all bring to the Red Wolves' passing game is size.
Of the wide receivers likely to be a part of ASU's rotation, none are taller than 6-2. And of those at least six feet, Te'Vailance Hunt is the only one who weighs more than 200 pounds.
McCrumby is the lightest of the group at 205 pounds. Traore comes in at 6-4 and 223 pounds, and while Stevenson is an inch shorter, he weighs 235.
Even if Tyler has been a limited part of the aerial attack in the past, at 6-3 and 246 pounds, he's another option for a passing game that will likely use an array of personnel groupings.
"Those guys are going to try to bring it every day, and the more that they bring it, the better they play, it's going to push me," Tyler said of the young tight ends around him. "There's definitely a sense that we all want to get snaps, but we know that if we're pushing each other, the offense is going to be the best it can be."
ASU tight ends glance
RETURNING STARTER Emmanual Stevenson (7 starts in 2021)
LOSSES Ross Painter
WHO’S BACK Seydou Traore (2), Reed Tyler (3), Thomas Vaughan, Vershaud Richardson
WHO’S NEW Miller McCrumby, Bronte Gallo
ANALYSIS Stevenson was sidelined during the spring and his reintegration into things this fall has been slow, opening the door for Traore, who has taken the majority of the first-team reps. Both guys — as well as McCrumby — can be significant weapons in the passing game, but don’t overlook Tyler. The lone senior in the group is a steady blocker and has flashed some athleticism as a receiver in short-yardage scenarios.