A lot of schools make a big emphasis on being a (fill in the blank position) U. Tennessee was known most recently for being called “Wide Receiver U”. There is one school that probably doesn’t come to mind when talking about tight ends but it should, Florida. The last ten years at Florida have produced a steady stream of NFL talent. One that is hard to compare to any other school except maybe Miami. Florida’s tight end position is as overlooked now as the fullback, which is now more of a wing back. The perception is that in the spread or the fun n’ gun or the wide open offense Larry Fedora brought in with Ron Zook is that the tight end is an after thought, a blocker who is seldom used or highly recruited. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Let’s take a quick look at the players Florida has produced in the last ten years at tight end.

Erron Kinney (1995-1999) Third Round 2000 NFL Draft (68th)

Erron was a part of the 1996 first national championship team. Watching Erron in Spurrier’s offense, I don’t think many predicted a thirteen year run in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans where he snagged 178 receptions.

Aaron Walker (1998-2002) Fifth Round 2003 NFL Draft (161st)

Aaron was another=2 0player that usually got a ball or two a game as a tight end in Spurrier and Zook’s offense. He did have a memorable touchdown grab in the 2002 upset of the dawgs. He is now entering his seventh season in the league with the Cleveland Browns.

Ben Troupe (2000-2003) Second Round 2004 NFL Draft (40th)

Ben was always a stud at Florida. Though sometimes had difficulty gettingopen, once he did, you were waiting for him to hurdle someone. Ben to this day hasthe greatest play by a single offensive player I have ever seen at Florida against Ole Miss in 2003. Do yourself a favor go to youtube, type in Ben Troupe, and enjoy Mich Hubert going insane. Ben is going into his fourth year now with the Oakland Raiders.

Cornelius Ingram (2004-2008) Fifth Round 2009 NFL Draft (153rd)

C.I. started as a quarterback and was going to be a great story, Hawthorne’s biggest star starting quarterback for the Florida Gators. Life has a funny way of working out the toughest situations. After being moved to tight end upon Urban Meyer’s arrival, C.I. seriously contemplated quitting football. Luckily for us and Gator Nation he didn’t. He had huge catches in 2006 in both the Tennessee and National Championship game. 2007 saw him break out. A tough break in 2008, a torn ACL in spring sidelined him for the season. I think however C.I. will do just fine in the NFL with the Eagles.

I can not think of a better place to go if I was a high school tight end who wanted to play in the NFL. There seems to be a trend here. Aaron Hernandez might be a first round pick (knock on wood) with a big year this year and with Desmond Parks as a young apprentice, Florida’s tight end legacy looks to be enact for years to come.

By: C. Brian Suggs