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College Football: Tight Ends replacing NFL rookies

By Talon Graff

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki /
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COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 26: Tight end Jacob August of the South Carolina Gamecocks is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the University of Central Florida Knights during the third quarter on September 26, 2015 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages)
COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 26: Tight end Jacob August of the South Carolina Gamecocks is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the University of Central Florida Knights during the third quarter on September 26, 2015 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages) /

Which tight ends will replace recently drafted college football stars?

No other position has been revolutionized the past ten years like the tight end. It can be argued that this renaissance of sorts has its roots back in the 1990s. Former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons and future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez started this trend of athletic big men becoming NFL stars. Tony G was followed closely by Antonio Gates and now these guys like Rob Gronkowski and Zach Ertz are all over the league.

The newest wave has entered the NFL and left their alma maters with a hole to fill. Who is going to be entrusted with replacing them? Here are the college tight ends who are replacing 2018 NFL Draftees.

South Carolina – Jacob August (RS Senior)

Hayden Hurst was the one and only tight end taken in the first round after the Baltimore Ravens took him with their first pick in the 2018 draft. His replacement in Columbia? A redshirt senior Jacob August, stepping into the full time starting role for the first time in his career. A hometown kid who joined the football squad in 2015 as a walk-on, he is now embarking on his final year of eligibility as a scholarship player.

KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 14: Micah Abernathy #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers tackles Jacob August #40 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Neyland Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. South Carolina defeated Tennessee 15-9. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 14: Micah Abernathy #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers tackles Jacob August #40 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Neyland Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. South Carolina defeated Tennessee 15-9. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

He stands 6’6 and weighs 250 pounds and was used as a blocking tight end for the majority of his playing time. His athletic ability has shown itself in a handful of plays. His career totals are nothing to write home about but his utilization has a lot to do with that. Over the span of his career, he has 15 catches, 158 yards, and one touchdown.

Within the small sample size, August has shown he can make brow raising catches downfield.

Behind August on the depth chart sits junior Kyle Markway who has struggled to stay healthy in his Gamecock career and sophomore Evan Hinson, who is also a key contributor to the school’s basketball team. August could be relied on to carry the load mostly by himself this season with a committee working behind him.

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