University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI's Tight Ends are a Hybrid Variety
6/29/2017 10:18:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Creating mismatches, stretching the field, receiving and blocking is what has become of the tight end position at the University of Northern Iowa.
Third-year tight end coach Nick Danielson is raving about this year's group of hybrids – as they like to call themselves.
"They are a fun group to coach and bring high energy to everything they do," Danielson said. "Each of them embraces the blue-collar work ethic."
Junior Elias Nissen and sophomore Briley Moore are the top returners at the tight end slot. Nissen caught five passes for 52 yards, while as a true freshman Moore nabbed four passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.
"Our goals are to involve the tight ends in every way possible on the offensive side of the ball," Danielson said. "We need to take advantage of the mismatches that are presented to us."
Nissen and Moore are still adjusting to playing tight end at the collegiate level as neither played the position in high school. Nissen was 6'4" running back in 8-player football at Springville (Iowa) High School, while Moore played as a wide receiver at Blue Springs (Missouri) High School. Nissen has improved his strength and is one of the strongest guys on the squad with his over-hand snatches in the weight room. Moore has put 30 pounds on his frame since arriving on campus last fall.
"They are experiencing playing tight end for the first time in their careers," Danielson said. "But they have the ability to move people from a blocking standpoint, while also possessing the talent to move out as wide receivers and stretch the field for us. Our hybrids allow us to play a two-tight look and go directly into a four-wide look without subbing, which puts a lot of pressure on a defense to adjust to those looks without substitutions."
UNI will also have depth at the tight end position with redshirt freshman Peyton Williams (Marshalltown, Iowa), sophomore Taylor Otterstatter (Mayer, Minnesota) and incoming-freshman Matthew Vanderslice (Olathe, Kansas).
Danielson said he enjoys every minute of coaching this group of tight ends.
"These guys are awesome to work with and they are an overachieving group," Danielson said. "If we have meetings set, they are always there 10 minutes early. If we tell them to do a drill before practice, they get that drill done plus another set of another drill. These guys make coaching them so fun."
UNI will open the 2017 season Sept. 2 at Iowa State before playing host to Cal Poly in the Panthers's home-opening game on Sept. 9. Season tickets are available by calling 319-273-4849 or by visiting www.unipanthers.com/tickets.
Third-year tight end coach Nick Danielson is raving about this year's group of hybrids – as they like to call themselves.
"They are a fun group to coach and bring high energy to everything they do," Danielson said. "Each of them embraces the blue-collar work ethic."
Junior Elias Nissen and sophomore Briley Moore are the top returners at the tight end slot. Nissen caught five passes for 52 yards, while as a true freshman Moore nabbed four passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.
"Our goals are to involve the tight ends in every way possible on the offensive side of the ball," Danielson said. "We need to take advantage of the mismatches that are presented to us."
Nissen and Moore are still adjusting to playing tight end at the collegiate level as neither played the position in high school. Nissen was 6'4" running back in 8-player football at Springville (Iowa) High School, while Moore played as a wide receiver at Blue Springs (Missouri) High School. Nissen has improved his strength and is one of the strongest guys on the squad with his over-hand snatches in the weight room. Moore has put 30 pounds on his frame since arriving on campus last fall.
"They are experiencing playing tight end for the first time in their careers," Danielson said. "But they have the ability to move people from a blocking standpoint, while also possessing the talent to move out as wide receivers and stretch the field for us. Our hybrids allow us to play a two-tight look and go directly into a four-wide look without subbing, which puts a lot of pressure on a defense to adjust to those looks without substitutions."
UNI will also have depth at the tight end position with redshirt freshman Peyton Williams (Marshalltown, Iowa), sophomore Taylor Otterstatter (Mayer, Minnesota) and incoming-freshman Matthew Vanderslice (Olathe, Kansas).
Danielson said he enjoys every minute of coaching this group of tight ends.
"These guys are awesome to work with and they are an overachieving group," Danielson said. "If we have meetings set, they are always there 10 minutes early. If we tell them to do a drill before practice, they get that drill done plus another set of another drill. These guys make coaching them so fun."
UNI will open the 2017 season Sept. 2 at Iowa State before playing host to Cal Poly in the Panthers's home-opening game on Sept. 9. Season tickets are available by calling 319-273-4849 or by visiting www.unipanthers.com/tickets.
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