Indiana University Athletics
Four is Better Than One at Tight End
8/27/2015 1:13:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana may not have a clear-cut No. 1 tight end this season, but Anthony Corsaro isn't concerned.
He says Indiana is better off without one. He even has the math to prove it.
"We really feel like we have four number one tight ends," Corsaro said. "We don't need one. We have four. And you know, four is better than one in all the math classes I took. So we feel really comfortable with that."
Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson has gone on record calling this year's group of tight ends the deepest, most competitive groups he's had in his time at Indiana.
The Hoosiers' competitiveness shows in the way they practice, Corsaro said. Nobody can afford to take the day off at the risk of losing reps to the guy next to him, which gives tight ends coach James Patton options when he's deciding who needs to be on the field.
"(They're) just a competitive group, and that's why I like them," Patton said. "Because when guys use one tight end, two tight ends, three tight ends, it's all based on who's playing the best. Who's practicing the best first of all will determine who's getting the most reps."
Despite having to constantly compete for reps against teammates, Corsaro said the camaraderie in the position group is as strong as it's been in his time at Indiana.
Not having a standout starter has motivated the group, he said. It also allows for players to take breaks during games when they're fatigued without much drop off.
"We've really embraced as a group being each other's fans and being each other's biggest critics," Corsaro said. "So when a tight end scores, the other four or five guys want to be the first ones in the end zone celebrating with them, but we'll also be the first to say, 'Hey, you need to clean that up.'"
Last season, Corsaro combined with fellow senior Michael Cooper and sophomore Jordan Fuchs to catch 10 passes for 95 yards and one touchdown.
Admittedly, that production fell short of the numbers they wanted out of the passing game. The decrease in production was partly to blame on senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld's injury and an increased emphasis on running the ball with All-American running back Tevin Coleman.
The tight end group sometimes risks being overlooked on that spectrum, Corsaro said. But the Hoosiers' tight ends were opening holes for Coleman, too.
The tight ends look to have more balance in the attack this season. With the options they have at the position, Corsaro said there's reason to believe the tight ends will see an increase in production in 2015.
"Last year we obviously had reason to run the ball," Corsaro said. "There definitely is more need to get involved in the passing game and even more in the running game. We'll all just do whatever is called upon us. But we want to make plays. We know we can help this offense and be game-changing playmakers."
