Sports: Football

Kendricks adds depth to tight end corps

Much of the preseason hype about the Badgers football team was centered around its deep staple of running backs. Two weeks into the season, it might be time to refocus that attention on the tight ends.

With All-American tight end Travis Beckum sitting out the first two games with a hamstring injury, it would be easy to assume a huge hole would be left in the offense. This was clearly not the case, as backups Garrett Graham and Lance Kendricks combined for 198 yards and two touchdowns in the Badgers’ first two games. This performance came as no surprise to tight ends coach Joe Rudolph.

“I had confidence that they would go in and do a good job,” Rudolph said.

It was easy to have confidence in Graham, a junior, who proved himself as a strong option in the passing game last season with 328 yards and four touchdowns. Kendricks, a redshirt sophomore, was more of an unknown commodity until breaking out against Marshall Saturday with three receptions for 96 yards. Recruited as a receiver, Kendricks made the transition to tight end upon coming to UW. Kendricks’ teammate, Beckum, who played linebacker before converting to tight end, was quick to offer a helping hand.

“He said just to listen and pay attention to detail,” Kendricks said. “It was tough at first, as far as blocking and getting used to blocking the heavier guys.”

Switching from receiver to tight end brings much more responsibility in blocking, which is important for the Badgers, who emphasize a strong running attack to control the pace of the game.

“We’re known to run the ball, so it might be overlooked at times,” Graham said of his role in the passing game.

While strong blocking is a key element of UW’s tight ends, their ability to be a factor as pass-catchers has been a very important part of the offense for the Badgers over the last two years. In 2007, Beckum and Graham accounted for 1,320 of UW’s 2,704 receiving yards, an astounding 48 percent. In addition, the duo caught 10 of the 17 touchdown passes thrown by UW last year. While the importance of the tight end in the passing game is easy to see, Graham doesn’t consider that the most important aspect of the position.

“I’d say [it’s] being more of a complete tight end, being able to stay in for most of the game,” Graham said. “Being able to block to my best and also being a vertical threat down the field.”

Graham practices what he preaches, as he, Kendricks and Mickey Turner have already contributed this season to a game in which the Badgers ran for over 400 yards and another in which they threw for over 300. In a way, the injury to Beckum may have been as much a boon as a bane, as it showcased UW’s depth at the position. With the Badgers employing a new starter in quarterback Allan Evridge, as well as a wide receiver corps that came into the season with under 50 career catches, it’s been important for the tight ends to play well, especially since Beckum has been hurt.

“I think it’s definitely an advantage. Whenever you have more players who can play and go in there, it’s always an advantage,” Graham said.

His position coach agreed.

“The depth there comes forward because guys have had opportunities,” Rudolph said. “You’re able to discover depth when a guy’s got to go. When he steps in and does well, then you feel more secure the next time.”

The “next time” in this case likely comes with the return of Beckum, raising the issue of finding ways to use all this depth. While it may be a tricky to find playing time for all of them, it certainly won’t be a problem.

“It’ll be fun,” Rudolph said, of having Beckum back in addition to Graham, Kendricks and Turner. “It gives you options, and options are always good. It’ll be fun.”