Heard the Phrase, Three’s a Crowd? How About FOUR? Let’s Talk MSU Tight Ends.

The talk around East Lansing these days is that ‘the boys in green’ have depth to burn. My brother (who is also a rapid Spartan fan) and I were talking

The talk around East Lansing these days is that ‘the boys in green’ have depth to burn. My brother (who is also a rapid Spartan fan) and I were talking football the other day and we were recounting some of the previous preseason conversations. We were recalling the conversations we used to have about the Spartans and how we knew we’d have to count on substandard talent throughout a given season. Unlike today, an injury at a key position spelled sure disaster for the Spartans.

When you look across the roster, you’ll find depth almost everywhere. Sure there are some unproven commodities, but the vast majority of positions are two and three deep with serviceable talent. The word serviceable is not a part of the Spartan tight-end equation. By all accounts, the Spartans have four guys that could start for most of the teams in the conference.

Charlie Gantt who had a solid season last year as a third year sophomore, headlines this talented group. Gantt had a number of big plays that kept Spartan drives alive when MSU had to move the chains. He developed throughout the season as a solid run blocker and showed the ability to make the tough catch in traffic. He will likely head into Montana State as the starter.

Last season as a redshirt freshman, Garrett Celek emerged as a solid receiving threat. On more than one occasion, teams bit on the play action to Javon only to see Celek haul down a wide-open pass. Celek is fluid and he has soft hands. He can run with most of the linebackers in the league, but doesn’t possess the speed to pull away from a safety or corner.

Tight end number three made his Spartan debut in the spring game. Brian Linthicum found his way to East Lansing after transferring from Clemson where he had a successful freshman campaign. Unhappy with his utilization at Clemson, the man from Charlottesville, Virginia made a call to the Daugherty Building and found his new home. Linthicum brings playing experience, physical toughness and is a solid blocker. 

Linthicum, Gantt and Celek are almost all mirror images of each other in terms of their physical statures. They are all listed at 6’5” and all weigh between 245 and 250 pounds. Another 6’5” tight-end graces the Spartan roster, but he is a bit bigger, quite a bit smoother, faster and even more athletic than the three I’ve already mentioned.

Dion Sims was regarded by most recruiting publications as one of the five best all around athletes in the high school football class of 2009. Dion came to MSU as both a highly regarded football and basketball player. In the last eight months, Dion has become bigger, stronger and faster. Most of the information printed last fall during Dion’s senior season at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s had him listed somewhere between 235 and 245 pounds. This football season, as a true freshman on the Spartan football roster, Dion is closer to 280 pounds. 

There was early talk that Dion might use the 2009 season to redshirt, but all indications are that he has solidified himself in the playing group is climbing the depth chart. Dion has the ability to make the difficult catches look easy with his big basketball hands. He has reportedly lowered the boom on a number of his teammates in practice and has shown the ability to outrun defenders in the open field.

It is no secret that MSU receivers dropped too many balls last season. A reliable set of hands is going to be needed if MSU is to have the balanced offense it needs to win a championship. I get the idea that this staff is just as happy throw the ball to a sure handed tight-end than throw it to a receiver that has shown the propensity to let the ball sail by him.

MSU has inexperience at both the QB and RB positions. A big tight-end with soft hands could do a lot to get a young quarterback in rhythm early. Solid blocking at the point of attack could make up for the inexperience on both the right side of the OL and help create some gaps for our young backs.

Watch this group. I think they could be the best all around unit for MSU this season. They will certainly give the linebackers and the secondary something to think about.