Spring 2021 Breakdown: Tight Ends
March 26, 2021 | Football
Bowling Green, Ohio – Greg Nosal is entering his first season as tight ends coach, a position led by experienced sophomore Christian Sims. Freshmen Griffin Little and Levi Gazarek, along with redshirt freshman Andrew Bench, a converted defensive lineman, add depth to a critical position to the BGSU offense.
Sims, a third-year sophomore, showed flashes as a true freshman in 2019 that he could be a real threat in the flats to make plays after the catch for first downs.
In a shortened 2020 season, an offense in transition relied on the top of the depth chart to produce at the tight end position. Coach Hedden had more skill and experience than perhaps any other position with former All-MAC performer Quintin Morris, one of the nation's best.
As a result, Sims saw his receiving chances limited to a single catch for two yards in a game against Ohio. With Matt McDonald entering year two at quarterback, and Sims having the only in-game experience at the position, expect him to push to start at tight end for BG.
Expect Little, Bench, and Gazarek to all compete for playing time throughout the spring and into the fall as none have prior game experience as a tight end, though Bench has been on the field on the defensive side of the ball.
Little did not play in 2020, but returns for his second season with the program. Bench is a third-year freshman who is converting from defensive line after playing eight games over the previous two seasons, starting twice in 2020. Bench recorded a career-high six tackles at Toledo.
Gazarek is a freshman entering his second year with the program. He was a three-star recruit who chose BGSU over Michigan State, Maryland, Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State among others.
True freshman Zach Russell is an early enrollee who is taking part in his first spring practices. The Falcons also signed local product Jaedyn McKinstry during the December signing period.
Sims, a third-year sophomore, showed flashes as a true freshman in 2019 that he could be a real threat in the flats to make plays after the catch for first downs.
In a shortened 2020 season, an offense in transition relied on the top of the depth chart to produce at the tight end position. Coach Hedden had more skill and experience than perhaps any other position with former All-MAC performer Quintin Morris, one of the nation's best.
As a result, Sims saw his receiving chances limited to a single catch for two yards in a game against Ohio. With Matt McDonald entering year two at quarterback, and Sims having the only in-game experience at the position, expect him to push to start at tight end for BG.
Expect Little, Bench, and Gazarek to all compete for playing time throughout the spring and into the fall as none have prior game experience as a tight end, though Bench has been on the field on the defensive side of the ball.
Little did not play in 2020, but returns for his second season with the program. Bench is a third-year freshman who is converting from defensive line after playing eight games over the previous two seasons, starting twice in 2020. Bench recorded a career-high six tackles at Toledo.
Gazarek is a freshman entering his second year with the program. He was a three-star recruit who chose BGSU over Michigan State, Maryland, Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State among others.
True freshman Zach Russell is an early enrollee who is taking part in his first spring practices. The Falcons also signed local product Jaedyn McKinstry during the December signing period.
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