Texas A&M Football: 2017 tight end depth chart

Rumor has it that the Texas A&M football team will utilize something called a tight end in 2017. If that is indeed true, these are the guys to watch.

A big ruckus was made when Kevin Sumlin was able to get Cameron Clear to campus as a transfer in 2013. The big man was supposed to become a dangerous red zone threat and one more security blanket for Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel.

But unless you’re a die-hard Texas A&M football fan, chances are the name doesn’t ring much of a bell. Instead Clear is one of many Aggie tight ends that came and went without making much of a dent in the Texas A&M offensive stat sheet.

Coaches Noel Mazzone and Kevin Sumlin are determined to change that. In the Spring Game (for what that’s worth) we say tight ends incorporated in most, if not all offensive sets. If the rumors are true and the Aggies will utilize a tight end position in 2017, here are the guys to know.

Calvin Klein transferred to Texas A&M from Virginia Tech prior to the beginning of last season. He caught one pass, a 17-yard touchdown against New Mexico State, during his first season with the Aggies. He played in every game. Sumlin likely promised an increased role in the offense when recruiting Klein to come to College Station. He’ll need to make good on that promise this season. Klein is the veteran with more snaps than every other tight end on the roster. He’ll get used, but his catch total is still up in the air.

A converted linebacker, there has been a lot of buzz about Aaron Hansford this spring. What’s not to like? The 6-foot-3, 225 pound redshirt freshman saw action in two games last season before a season-ending injury kept him out for the remainder of the year. The athletic department website lists him as wide receiver. When he was on the field during the spring game it was primarily in the slot. It’s not uncommon for tight ends at the next level to play split out and on the line at the next level. Wherever he does stand, he’s a threat to takeoff and catch some passes.

Tanner Schorp broke out on special teams as a redshirt sophomore in 2015. When he made the transition to tight end last season there were hopes that he could become a regular part of the offensive set. He had one catch in 2016, a four-yard completion against New Mexico State.

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Now Schorp finds himself at the back of the depth chart competing for snaps with newcomers Keynel McZeal and Camron Horry. That’s five guys that the Aggies feel comfortable using at the tight end position in 2017. Considering they haven’t had a tight end play meaningful snaps for them in the past five years, being able to fill the position with talent is a win for Kevin Sumlin and his staff. Now they just have to go produce on the field.