3 key questions for South Carolina tight ends: It’s two and then who?
The State is previewing the 2020 South Carolina football team by position. Some key questions at the tight end position.
Key departures: Kyle Markway
Projected depth chart: Nick Muse, Adam Prentice, Chandler Farrell, KeShawn Toney, Will Register
What is Nick Muse’s ceiling?
Muse didn’t put up huge numbers in 2019, but he had more than a few plays that just popped. After the catch, he just seemed to have that little something extra that lets him generate a few more yards. Now he will be the No. 1 option at that position, in an offense short on proven guys. In that situation, can he be a 400-plus-yard type of target? If he can, it changes some of what South Carolina can do.
Who are the second wave options?
Muse looks ready to be a top-line guy. Although Adam Prentice was described as a fullback when he was recruited, he spent plenty of time as a second tight end at Colorado State. If need be, the staff could probably rely on those two, plus a little work from Chandler Farrell as a blocker. But the options behind them intrigue with potential. Traevon Kenion has a lot of upside, but a late enrollment in 2019 and then an injury held him back much of the year. Will Register is entering year four and was a special teams contributor last season. KeShawn Toney worked his way into a smaller role while redshirting in 2019, and incoming freshmen Eric Shaw and Jaheim Bell are both high-ceiling athletes. Tight end is a position where the transition from high school usually isn’t a quick one (a Muschamp tight end hasn’t seen a major workload as a freshman at USC) but perhaps their talent could overcome that.
Can Keveon Mullins make his mark?
Mullins presented a high-grade conundrum last season: Not only did he not contribute as a four-star wide receiver recruit — he didn’t play at all. This offseason, the 6-foot-1, 227-pounder was moved to tight end after adding 20 or so pounds, a shift that could perhaps take advantage of his hard-running style and athleticism. If he were to thrive, he would be far from the first player to move there from the other position and do so. And he can provide the kind of extra offensive weapon South Carolina lacked last season.
2020 South Carolina football schedule
Sept. 5 vs. Coastal Carolina
Sept. 12 vs. East Carolina
Sept. 19 vs. Missouri
Sept. 26 at Kentucky
Oct. 3 at Florida
Oct. 10 vs. Tennessee
Oct. 24 vs. Texas A&M
Oct. 31 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 7 Georgia
Nov. 14 at LSU
Nov. 21 vs. Wofford
Nov. 28 at Clemson
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
