Better Know A Bearcats Position Group: Tight End
By Chris Bains
As we inch closer and closer to Cincinnati’s home opener against the Toledo Rockets, our better know a Bearcats series rolls along with the tight ends.
With yesterday’s depth chart being released, we now know that DJ Dowdy will run with the first team and Jake Golic, son of ESPN personality Mike Golic, will be his backup to begin the season. But there are few positions more in flux than this one heading into the 2014 football season. Dowdy could just as easily be supplanted as the starter as Golic could remain with the two’s. So while
DJ Dowdy (#81): Sophomore
As a freshman the Akron product got his feet wet on the second team behind Blake Annen on the depth chart, hauling in a pair of receptions for 6 yards on the season. But that line isn’t unexpected for the backup tight end playing in a spread offense that emphasizes the wide receivers. But that should play into Dowdy’s strengths. He’s more a receiving than blocking tight end and if he can continue to run with the first team could get a decent amount of opportunities over the middle of the field. My only concern for Dowdy and this position in general, is if the wide receivers perform at or about expectations next season. At that point Gunner Kiel will have no choice but to focus on McKay, Washington, Moore, and co. instead of Dowdy. I guess that wouldn’t be a bad thing in the grand scheme of things, though.
Jake Golic (#10): Senior
The Notre Dame transfer got a new lease on life this past offseason when he was granted an extra year of eligibility. How he fares coming off that back injury remains to be seen with Dowdy ahead of him on the depth chart.