Troy University Athletics
Troy Football Breakdown – Tight Ends
8/28/2022 1:39:00 PM | Football
Once a position never utilized by the Troy offense, the tight end has enjoyed an emergence the last two years, and the position is expected to thrive even more in Troy's new offensive scheme in 2022.
They Said It – Assistant Coach Evan McKissack
"We always call them Swiss Army Knives. In today's age of college football, if you're not utilizing a tight end, you're handcuffing yourself in what you can do. Even in the air raid, teams have moved to using a tight end because it gives you more service in the run game and can create mismatches in the passing game. If you've got a guy who is athletic, and I think we've got some guys who can do that, who are avid blockers and at the same time can get out there and run routes, that's tough on a defense."
Players to Watch
Despite the tight end being an underserviced position in Troy history, the 2022 Trojans go four-deep at the position with guys who fit the mold of athletic tight ends and can contribute both in the passing and running games.
Returning are A.J. Lewis and Deyunkrea Lewis, who combined for 21 receptions on just 24 targets last season with three touchdowns. Not related, the Lewis duo have accounted for the majority of Troy's tight end snaps the last two seasons.
Clayton Ollendieck played a more prominent role on special teams than as a tight end in 2021 but fits well into Troy's new offensive scheme and is expected to have a more significant impact this season. Joining the group is 2019 FCS Freshman All-American Michael Vice, who joins the Trojans after transferring in from Samford. He was the Bulldogs' second-leading receiver in 2021, with 44 catches for 518 yards and four touchdowns.
"We've got four guys who can do a lot of things," McKissack said. "They are very versatile, which is good because when we've got two in the game, it doesn't handcuff us whether we're running the ball or throwing it deep. That's the key part of the game, especially now with how defenses matchup personnel, is how you use your personnel on offense and create those mismatches."
Position Notes
• Troy's tight ends were targeted 24 times with 21 receptions in 2021. In the previous seven seasons COMBINED, Troy's tight ends were targeted 18 times with 12 receptions (10 targets and eight receptions by A.J. Lewis in 2019-2020).
•A.J. Lewis and Deyunkrea Lewis hold down the top three spots on Troy's single-season touchdown reception list by tight ends (since 1999) … they both are tied for first with three and A.J. is tied for third with his two in 2020.
• Michael Vice led Samford with five touchdown receptions his freshman season; he had eight catches for 55 yards.
• Clayton Ollendieck caught 11 passes for 98 yards and four touchdowns in Iowa Central's abbreviated seven-game schedule in 2020.
Parting Shot
"We've established a better physicality, especially whether where on the line of scrimmage, off the ball or even out in space," McKissack said "I think the competition in that room has definitely been elevated, and due to that competition, guys are getting better at certain areas of their craft whether it's blocking or running routes."
Players Mentioned
Goose Crowder - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Donnie Smith - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - April 16
Thursday, April 16