TIGHT END OUTLOOK
With a talented but inexperienced group of wideouts, 2023 may shake out to be the "Year of the Tight End" for the Fresno State offense.
Tight ends coach John Baxter loves the versatility of the skill sets in his tight end room. The 'Dogs return three, while bringing in two junior college transfers and two true freshmen.
Who's back: Two significant contributors return in Tre Watson and Jake Boust.
Watson appeared in eight games last season, starting four, before suffering a season-ending injury against San Diego State. He had eight receptions for 80 yards.
The Albuquerque native had a breakout season in 2021 as a true freshman, playing in 12 games and recording 10 catches for 134 yards.
Boust has been a critical part of the Bulldogs' run and pass protection schemes. He played in 14 games with four starts last season, recording five receptions for 23 yards. The senior has also been a significant contributor on special teams.
"When Tre and Jake are in the game, it's a thunder and lightning type of combination there," said Baxter. "They're really good together."
Kamron Beachem also returns to the unit. The sophomore appeared in 10 games, primarily on special teams, but also saw snaps at tight end when he was utilized on run, pass protection and red zone plays.
Who's new: Four newcomers were added to the tight end room for 2023.
Junior college transfers Jake Tarwater and Tyler Carr joined the team for spring ball.
Tarwater turned heads during spring, in what will be only his second season as a tight end - he began his collegiate career at Truman State (Missouri) as a quarterback. Tarwater transferred to the College of the Sequoias in Visalia and made the transition to tight end from quarterback, before committing to Fresno State.
The South Lake Tahoe native had 16 receptions for 196 yards and a touchdown in 2022 at COS - his first season playing as a tight end
Carr transferred to Fresno State after playing one season at Bakersfield College. He is the son of former Bulldogs' great David Carr and the nephew of Derek Carr.
True freshmen Richie Anderson and Brock Lium also have made strong impressions in their first fall camp.
Anderson is a three-time all conference and two-time first team all-state tight end out of Tualatin, Ore. He recorded 13 receptions for 311 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.
Lium, a versatile athlete, played quarterback, safety and tight end at Citrus Valley High in Redlands. He was a three-time all league selection and in his senior season he recorded 52 receptions for 780 yards and 15 touchdowns.
What to watch: This tight end room looks like the most well-rounded group that Fresno State has had since 2018. They all possess different skill sets, which leaves a lot of options for offensive coordinator Pat McCann and Baxter this season.
Watson and Boust can be expected to be seen a lot on the field, as Baxter likes the way their skill sets compliment each other, they have been in the offensive system for a couple years and they have the most Division I snaps.
Beachem is looking to be a bigger part of the rotation, while Tarwater is trying to build on what he did during the spring.
The true freshmen aren't going to make it easy for the returners, though, as they both have had promising starts to camp.
"We have a room full of guys that are really good athletes, really smart and play well together," said Baxter. "Tre and Jake (Boust) have the most experience, but Kamron has improved dramatically. Jake (Tarwater) has been a great addition. The two freshmen along with Tyler Carr, you can tell the game's not too big for them."
The group could have a big year in an offense that needs playmakers to develop quickly at the receiver and running back positions.
Fresno State in 2018 had a tight end (Jared Rice) with 74 targets and 55 receptions, ranking second on the team in both. It has had some capable pass receivers at the position since then, but production has dropped significantly the past few years. Rice finished his career as the program's all-time leading tight end in career pass receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Fresno State tight ends last season had a total of eight receptions in the red zone and just three on third downs. The position also accounted for only 9.9 percent of targets last season by quarterbacks Jake Haener and Logan Fife, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see that go up significantly this season.