Texas A&M’s tight end room has done a lot of the dirty work through two games, even if the passing-game payoff hasn’t shown up yet.
Micah Riley has two of the three receptions from the group so far, while Fresno State transfer Richie Anderson III has totaled 26 yards. That’s not the kind of production that jumps off the page, but head coach Mike Elko made it clear the position has still been pulling its weight.
“Providing us value in the run game,” Elko noted. “Obviously, trying to still get them unhinged a little, but in the pass game. They’re in a difficult spot from a pass game standpoint.”
A big reason for that is the shape of the offense around them. Texas A&M’s wide receiver room has already piled up 432 yards, with multiple veterans leading the charge and a transfer adding another layer to the downfield threat. That has naturally shifted some of the attention away from the tight ends, at least for now.
Still, the Aggies are only two games into the season, and the staff clearly sees the position as one that can matter more as the year goes on. For now, the tight ends have helped keep the offense on schedule, whether that means creating room in the run game or giving Reed time to work through his reads as passing lanes open up.
The blocking grades back that up. Kiotti Armstrong posted a 67.3 overall run-blocking grade in Week 1, Anderson checked in with a 72.4 pass-blocking grade, and Riley turned in an 83.1 run-blocking grade. That’s the kind of foundation Elko and his staff want to see.
Against Arizona State, the group’s workload was again more about the trenches than the stat sheet. Anderson had the lone reception among the tight ends and finished the 48-20 win as the unit’s top PFF performer, playing 28 snaps and posting a 68.9 receiving grade along with a 72.4 blocking grade.
Houston Thomas, the UTSA transfer, logged 21 snaps in a quieter outing. He finished with a 51.0 PFF grade and no catches, while Riley continued to chip in as a blocker with a 58.8 run-block grade.
The coaching staff, including tight ends coach Derek Shay, is still working to push the group forward in every phase. And with the attention drawn by Texas A&M’s receivers, Elko believes the openings for the tight ends will eventually come.
“I think because of some of the talent we have at the wide receiver position - every season, it’s a long season. What ultimately will happen is I think teams will start paying a little bit more to the attention to the receivers and the outside guys, and that will ultimately create some windows for them.”
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